Another Stress Buster!

I’ve been researching cognitive enhancement lately for a project I’m working on. I, like many people, assumed that cognitive decline was a fact of life and would naturally occur as we age. But, the fact of the matter is, that cognitive decline doesn’t have to happen. You can do things daily and today that will impact your risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other disabilities that seem to come with age.

The science is clear, some stronger than others, that diet, exercise, socialization and cognitive training can decrease your risk of cognitive impairment. Some studies even show that taking anti-inflammatories can be a deterrent.

Where does stress come in? Well, it seems that if we thought stress was damaging enough, it just got worse. Your PERCEPTION of stressors in your life (being overwhelmed, believing its worse than it might be, etc...) contributes to your risk of cognitive decline. If you are a “downer” you may be setting your own fate in cognitive damage as you age. I heard one speaker mention a client of his with dementia in his 50’s! I’m not suggesting that was due to stress or his perceived stress but I am saying that the time is TODAY to take your health and mental wellbeing seriously, no matter what age you are.

So, Lisa, what do I do?

Ø Reduce your stress TODAY, NOW by removing stressful people, discussions, memories, events, etc... from your life (stop being a victim and saying that you have to be in this situation, you don’t)
Ø Enroll in daily exercise of some sort. Yoga is a good one. Dedicate one hour a day to stretching, walking, hiking, running, volleyball… what ever you are willing to do.
Ø Eat right. Yes, eat right. Start with your next meal. Make better choices today.
Ø Put the remote down. Stop watching TV. Pick up a book or better yet play a game of cards or a board game with another person.
Ø Visit someone each day for 30 minutes or talk to them on the phone.
Ø See your doctor to assess your risk factors. Your health won’t get better without your intervention.
Ø Learn to love yourself. Find positive things in your life to enjoy and share with others. If you have baggage or pain from the past see a professional. You don’t need to live that way.
Ø Research cognitive exercises. Your brain wants to learn and grow, at any age. Let it.

In health.
Lisa
PS- I’ll be celebrating my nuptials for the next 2 weeks. Enjoy this blog until then. Plus, you may need an extra week to chew on this one- and get your homework done!