The Daily Dose 8 Tips to boost cognitive health as you age
What is cognitive health?
Cognitive health is your brain’s ability to learn, think, and remember. It’s just one aspect of overall brain health but can affect physical, mental, and emotional health, especially as you get older.
Why is good cognitive health important?
Billions of nerve cells in your brain called neurons send information to the rest of your body to coordinate your thoughts and much more. If your neurons aren’t working right, your thinking could slow and cause you to experience a decline in your cognitive health. A decrease in your thinking skills also affects your ability to perform everyday tasks like cooking, taking medication, driving, and paying bills. That’s why it’s important to maintain good cognitive health habits.
How can I boost my cognitive health?
Factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle can cause poor cognitive health. While you can’t control your genetics, you can control your lifestyle and environment.
Try these tips to maintain your cognitive health.
- Listen to your provider. Taking care of your physical health often helps with cognitive health, so make sure to get any health screenings and vaccinations your provider recommends. Let them help you manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Ask where you can find support to quit smoking. Treat vision and hearing loss. Talk about medications you take with possible side effects on memory, brain function, and sleep.
- Stay active. Physically-active people are often more equipped for better thinking, learning, and problem solving. Regular physical activity can also help improve memory, balance, strength, and mood, along with reducing anxiety or depression. Exercising with family or friends can even turn it into a fun, social activity. Go for walks or try a family-friendly game of pickleball. Take a nice bike ride through the park – remember to wear a helmet to protect your head.
- Eat healthy. Consume a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, whole grains, and lean meats, poultry, and fish. Limit alcohol, caffeine, sugar, salt, and solid fats. Avoid processed and fried foods. Meal prep to save time and money. Drink plenty of water!
- Sleep well. Quality sleep is exceptionally important for healthy cognitive function. Maintain good sleep hygiene like regularly scheduled times for going to sleep and waking up. Make sure your environment is quiet and comfortable to achieve the best possible sleep. Limit screen time before bed. Shoot for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
- Learn something new. Try a musical instrument, new language, or other educational class. Check out a nearby community college or library for free or low-cost options.
- Exercise your brain. Build puzzles, solve crosswords and wordsearches, play strategy games. Read!
- Get creative. Paint, draw, knit, craft. Staying engaged in meaningful activities as you grow older can have important cognitive benefits.
- Be social. It’s important to stay connected with other people to lower your risk of cognitive decline. Keep your bonds with friends and family strong. Visit your local senior center to enjoy meals and activities with older adults like you. Volunteer, join clubs, or mentor to connect with those who have similar interests. You can even find a group that meets online if you have transportation challenges.
Are you a CDPHP® Medicare Advantage member? Use your plan benefits to support your cognitive health!
- Many preventive care services are available at no additional cost.
- Vision and hearing coverage is included with all plans. Review your plan documents or log in to your online member account for details.
- Senior Fit benefits can help you stay active.
- Earn up to $175 in Life Points Rewards, redeemable for gift cards, for completing healthy activities.
- Get reimbursed up to $100 for completing four sessions with a registered dietitian.
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