When many of us think of beauty, we think of vibrancy, youth, health, and connection. I’m here to tell you that your brain — and how you care for it — affects how we see the world and how the world sees us. After suffering two brain injuries, including one that caused me to lose my sense of smell, I found a way to bring myself back to a fully functional level. In the process, I realized that our brain health has authority over our mood, memory, choices, and success. This can impact our life significantly, including our beauty and youthfulness.
Here are 5 things you can do to take care of your brain and age beautifully.
1. Active Body, Active Brain
When you work out your body, you work out your brain. Not only do you have a healthier and firmer body to present to the world, but studies have shown us again and again that physical activity influences the brain to enhance cognitive and emotional function. That means you can engage with people in a a more emotionally intelligent way and stay sharp into your later years.
Plus, exercise releases positive endorphins that elevate your mood and lower physical and mental stress levels. This is critical in maintaining your zest for life and feeling youthful on the inside and out.
Read More: How Exercise Affects Your Breast Cancer Risk
2. Eat, Sleep, Think
By eating right, you are doing your body and your brain a favor. Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be obtained from dietary fish, have a positive impact on your cognitive processes and emotions. This helps you be more engaging, happy, and fun to be around. Just make sure you give yourself a rest when all those offers of getting together roll around. Rest allows for circulation and getting the proper nutrients and oxygen to your brain for optimum energy metabolism.
Read More: 7 Nutrient-Packed Recipes That Make Healthy Eating a Breeze
3. Take Magnesium
Magnesium is a critical mineral for brain health. It regulates neurotransmitters, reduces inflammation and overstimulation, and improves sleep quality. It helps with brain plasticity, which is important for growing, learning, and forming new memories. Magnesium also helps with mood regulation, preventing conditions like depression. Your diet should include leafy greens, nuts, legumes, and whole grains to get a proper intake of magnesium.
You can also try supplements like Magnesium L-Threonate, which is a form that more easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Studies have shown that Magnesium L-Threonate is safe, well-tolerated, and improves sleep and cognitive function. You can take it with a meal for best digestion and absorption.
4. Get Artsy
Using your hands and thinking outside the box are important brain stimulators that help us make new neural connections and strengthen old ones. Whether it is a green thumb, music, painting, visual arts, writing, sewing, or dancing…the list is endless! There are so many options to stimulate the mind in unique, creative ways that help with abstract thinking.
Tap into your passions. You’ll enjoy yourself more, meet new people, and become more fun to be around. Passion is attractive, and whatever you are passionate about will enhance your attractiveness to everyone you meet. Click here to read more about finding your passion.
5. Speak Positively
Talk about others and yourself in a positive light. Stress can contribute to so many other health problems, worsening your brain health and heart health. By focusing on the positive, we can decrease the stress in our lives and conserve precious mental energy.
Yes, there are challenges as we age. Yes, there are many things we can’t control or change. But each of us has a choice to focus on what we do have and what we enjoy. From a television show, a song, a book, or a beautiful day, we have a choice as to what comes out of our mouths. Be a positive light in the world, and you will find that light shining for you when you least expect it.
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