Stay Sharp

Stay Sharp

Keeping the mind, and therefore the brain, active is important for brain health and reducing the risk of developing dementia. But what does that mean?

Using your brain in new ways – learning new skills by studying, reading, or trying new things throughout your life helps to increase “cognitive reserve” and reduces dementia risk.

One way of doing this is through cognitive training which involves doing mental exercises that challenge and stimulate different aspects of thinking, memory, and reasoning. But that’s not the only way. Read on to find out some of the ways you can build your brain power and Stay Sharp.

Find out more about cognitive reserve and why it’s important, here.

• Challenge your brain: Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, crosswords, or learning a new skill. Repeating the same activity will often not challenge your brain because you are using existing learning. Ideally you should take up activities which are novel or new to you.
• Stay physically active: Exercise is not only good for your body but also your brain. Regular exercise can help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
• Get enough sleep: Good quality sleep is essential for brain health. Lack of sleep, and poor quality sleep, can affect cognitive function and increase the risk of cognitive decline. You should aim for 7-8 hours of mostly uninterrupted sleep. Read here for some ways to help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.