Keep Your Brian Sharp

Recent studies from Vanderbilt show the human brain begins to change around 33 years of age.  AARP’s Sean Voskuhl said things like quick decision making, math skills, and other skills start to slow down.  But there are things we can do to keep our brain engaged.

“One of the biggest is to get some exercise. It doesn’t have to be extreme. Simply getting up and moving around regularly can help. Walking out in a field, around the house, or down the street can do wonders. Doing puzzles also helps engage different parts of the brain by doing things you need to think about and then execute.”

One thing that many don’t know is untreated depression can look a lot like dementia or even Alzheimer’s because it causes you to lose a lot of sleep.

“That leads to confusion during the day because you are so tired. Stress also affects the brain. What you eat plays a huge role in brain function. Stay away from processed foods, which have high amounts of salt. That can lead to high blood pressure and damaged arteries.”

Voskuhl added hearing loss can play a big role in staying healthy as we age.  He said people may withdraw from social interactions because they can’t hear, which can lead to depression as people become more isolated.  He noted untreated hearing loss can also be linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.  Hearing loss can also accelerate brain atrophy or shrinkage.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com