Dementia Support Line
Love Your Heart – look after your brain!
Many of us know it’s important to look after our heart by being physically active, eating healthily, and not smoking. But not everyone realises that this could keep our brains in shape, as well.
That’s because vascular health is an important part of keeping our brains healthy, and risk factors such as having High Blood Pressure or smoking can increase our chances of strokes or mini strokes, which in turn make it more likely we will develop dementia.
Our hearts are also vital because they circulate blood around our bodies, which also helps to supply of essential oxygen and nutrients to our brains.
But you don’t have to run before you can walk! There are some simple, achievable changes we can take to Love Our Heart.
Read on to find out more about the steps you can take.
- Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve brain health. Focus on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are some you could try – Dancing combines physical movement with mental coordination and memory recall. Yoga enhances flexibility, balance and mindfulness, promoting a calm and focused mind. Golf combines physical activity with mental concentration, problem solving and special awareness.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can have negative effects on both heart and brain health. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing or strenuous outdoor walks.