Have you made your 2019 New Year’s resolutions, yet? Before you top off the list, make sure to consider a resolution to improve your brain health. We don’t want to add anymore on your to-do list for the year; so, you can simply eliminate these bad habits to ensure a healthy and happy brain:
Forgoing Your Exercise Routine
Exercise is not only good for the body, but it’s also great for the brain! When you exercise, your body sends an increase of oxygen-rich blood vessels to various parts of your brain. A regular exercise routine will also reduce anxiety, stress, and negative thoughts.
Ignoring Head Protection
Are you an athlete who plays sports regularly? Or are you a middle-aged adult who loves a good bike ride? These are only two examples of many where it’s imperative that you protect your head. By wearing a helmet, you are reducing the chance of a brain injury if you hit your head.
Eating Junk Food
As a child, we were taught that junk food was candy, chocolate, soda, and the like. But, junk food is much more than that. To improve your cognitive state, consider changing your diet. If you have a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seafood, you will drastically reduce the chance of developing cognitive impairment.
Abusing Alcohol & Tobacco
Did you know that excessive drinking increases your risk of developing dementia? By limiting your alcohol intake, you are helping your brain to flourish in your old age! Tobacco, as well, is incredibly harmful to your brain. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, “when a smoker inhales tobacco smoke, over 4,000 chemicals are released.” Many of these chemicals go straight to the brain within seconds!
The GNI neurosurgeons are adept at treating brain conditions such as brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, chronic subdural hematomas, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and more. If you are concerned about a possible brain condition, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a GNI neurosurgeon.
