Promote and Protect Your Brain Health at Every Age

by Angie Kay Dilmore

You’ve heard the stories. A child is critically injured and in a coma from an all-terrain vehicle accident. A father with young children suffers a life-threatening brain aneurysm. A beloved grandmother and her family deal with the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. Whether from accidents, illnesses, even loneliness, there is no end to the maladies that threaten to rob us of our brain health. Some brain diseases, such as cancer, attack without warning or apparent cause. But there are actions we can take at every age to help promote and protect our brain health. 

Sonya Brooks, owner and speech language pathologist at Hope Therapy Center in Lake Charles, says some healthy brain habits pertain to people of ALL ages. Consistent sleep routines and quality sleep in adequate amounts are important for everyone. “Breathing through the nose with no snoring is for best brain health,” Brooks adds. Good nutrition including vegetables, fruits, proteins and carbs, regular physical activity and stress management are vital at every stage of life. Decreasing the risk of brain injury due to head trauma, e.g. by wearing a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle or horseback riding, is also crucial for people of all ages.  

Highlighted below are other age-specific goals to adopt for youth, the middle-aged and seniors. 

YOUTH 

Develop language and reading skills. Conversations, storytelling, even singing all promote language which fosters brain health. Make reading to your children part of your daily routine. “The stronger the language skill, the better the cognitive, emotional and social skills will develop,” says Brooks. 

Lower stress. Maintaining a stable home environment and responding to your child’s needs decreases stress which promotes brain function. 

Spend time outdoors and encourage playtime. Exploring and using all five senses to engage in nature fosters brain activity. Play promotes cognitive growth through games and stimulating toys.  

Limit screen time. Hours playing video games, watching television and scrolling social media decreases physical activity time and can interfere with sleep, which can negatively impact attention and ability to focus. “Kids who are physically active (especially outdoors) tend to have better wake/sleep cycles,” says Brooks. “Remember that children and adolescents need more sleep than adults!” 

Protect the Head. Parents should insist a child wear a helmet when participating in activities that have the potential for brain injuries, such as bike and ATV riding and sports such as football and baseball.  

MIDDLE AGE 

Brooks says midlife is when brain-protective habits (exercise, mental stimulation, social connection) have the greatest impact on reducing future risk of cognitive decline. 

Healthy body, healthy mind. Managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure help protect the brain. 

Get off the couch. Prolonged sitting can contribute to decreased memory formation.  

Don’t smoke and limit alcohol. These habits are bad for your brain. 

Stay socially engaged. Life in middle age can be very busy. Strive to maintain friendships and relationships with family. Social interactions can decrease stress and promote well-being and mental health. 

SENIORS 

Stay sharp. This is the age when people start to worry about dementia. To stimulate cognition, learn new skills, such as a different language. Develop new hobbies, read books, write letters and challenge yourself with puzzles and games.  

Forge friendships. Social interactions are even more important at this age to maintain good brain health. Join clubs or civic groups with like-minded people. 

Move, move, move. The cliché “use it or lose it” has never been more true than in your senior years. But now you have the time to make it fun! Learn some line dances, pickleball or bean bag baseball. These types of activities provide both physical and social benefits. Brooks also suggests incorporating weight bearing and outdoor exercises. 

Prevent falls. Seniors are at increased risk of falls which can result in concussions. Limit potential accidents by removing tripping hazards from your home and installing grab bars in the tub/shower. 

In summary, Brooks says to keep your brain healthy at every age, focus on a combination of physical and mental activity, social activities and managing overall health.