Did you know that brain conditions are expected to be the leading cause of death and disability in Canada within the next 20 years? There are currently 5.5 million Canadians who have been diagnosed with chronic brain condition. Although this might sound grim, positive lifestyle choices can play a role in your brain health! What can you do to support your brain health?
• Exercise regularly: By doing 30 minutes of physical activity it promotes blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, which can reduce the risk of dementia.
• Reduce Stress & Protect your brain: A good way to help reduce stress is learning different techniques such meditation and deep breathing, learning these techniques can help stop the negative impact chronic stress has on your brain health. Another way to protect your brain is to be smart when participating in sports and wear protective head gear.
Want something a little more fun to keep your brain healthy, try Brain Games. There are many benefits to doing brain games such as:
• Stimulates creativity – thinking differently about solving the problems in a brain game, which can also be used in other aspects of your life.
• Enhancement memory retention – memory games strengthen short term memory, with recall in crossword puzzles and other memory games.
• Increases concentration and focus – brain games require focus and doing them can increase focus in other areas of your life.
• Reduces stress – as brain games can have an escape from everyday stress and can encourage calming the mind, and mindfulness.
• Strengths neural connections and pathways in the brain – engaging the brain and using the memory part of your brain to strengthen those connections.
• Improves strategic thinking and decision making– thinking a few steps ahead in a strategic game and quick thinking.
• Encourages Emotional Resilience – with the sense of accomplishment when the game or puzzle is completed.
• Fosters Social Connection – playing games with others encourages teamwork, collaboration, relationship building.
• Delays cognitive decline – regular mental stimulation has been linked to the reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
• Sharpens verbal skills – word games increase vocabulary and spelling.
• Encourages lifelong learning – many brain games require you to learn new things to solve the puzzles and foster learning.
• Brain games ideas to get your started on strengthening your brain:
• Sudoku, crossword puzzles are challenging puzzles and can be done on paper or online
• Chess and checkers are great strategic planning games that can be done on a board or online
• Jigsaw puzzle and memory matching games are great for short team memory
• Adult colouring books are stress relieving and can put you in a calm relaxing state
• Trivia games – enhances critical thinking, memory retention and quick thinking
• Knitting, crocheting and other sewing activities are also good for critical thinking a relaxation
Some of the keys to a healthy brain as you age is to continue to learn, move your body, eating healthy, and being socially active. If you would like to join us for some brain enhancing and social activities, please reach out to the Whitevalley Community Resource Centre at (250) 547-8866.
