I recently listened to an excellent episode of the 10% Happier with Dan Harris podcast.
Having had a mom pass away after an 8-year experience with Alzheimer’s, I’m particularly attuned to brain-health suggestions. The bottom line is clear, and here is some of what was discussed in this podcast episode – a lot of which was more technical than I usually get here:
- Moving your body is the most transformative thing you can do for your brain. Every time we move our bodies, there is a waterfall of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals that floods your brain and helps it perform today, grow tomorrow, and be protected long term from aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Exercise sends growth factors to the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and retaining long-term memories for facts and events.
- If you need a gym membership or exercise classes to motivate you, do it. But you can get your heart rate up from power walking (strolling helps your mood but doesn’t get your heart up).
- The more time you put into exercise, the more benefit you get for your brain.
- The longer and more regularly you are moving your body doesn’t cure Alzheimer’s, but helps to delay its onset.
- Work hard to get good sleep. If at all possible, don’t use an alarm. Keep your bedroom temperature low. Turn screens off 30 minutes before bed. Hydrate earlier in the day. Cut out alcohol.
- To start the exercise habit: keep it short, keep it fun, and keep it in the realm of things you already like to do. Power walks are easy to add: No gym is needed.
- Also discussed: the importance of social connections, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and consuming less added sugar.
All my best,
David