Avoiding Some Bad Habits can Improve Your Cognitive Health
While most of us know poor dietary habits and lack of exercise is bad for our overall health, Jessica Caldwell, a neuropsychologist and director of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center at the Cleveland Clinic, says there are other lesser known daily routines that may be undermining our cognition. She explains that changing just one of these habits could improve brain health and help us age better and healthier.
Most experts agree getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep each night is critical to a sharp and productive mind. The Cleveland Clinic reports lack of sleep is linked to stress, weight gain and forgetfulness, and may increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes and a weakened immune system. Research shows sleep deprivation over a lifespan increases one’s risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Alon Avidan, M.D., director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the University of California, Los Angeles adds, “untreated sleep apnea accelerates memory and cognitive disturbances due to extensive buildup of brain amyloid, a key marker for Alzheimer’s disease.”
Along with sleep, routinely getting vaccinations may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. These include an annual flu shot, a Covid-19 booster, and for qualifying seniors, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. The CDC says at this time the RSV shot is not an annual shot and for anyone who has already received one dose (including last year) has completed their vaccination.
Another problem can come from the fact a senior may have less people relying on them as their children are grown and they are retired. However, research shows it is important for seniors to have a sense of purpose. Scott Kaiser, M.D., director of Geriatric Cognitive Health at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, says, “Having a reason to get up in the morning, knowing that people are depending upon you, feeling that you are making important contributions can contribute to healthy aging.” A study from the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago found an association in people who scored high on a purpose-in-life assessment. They were approximately 2.4 times more likely to remain Alzheimer’s-free than those with low scores.
Other habits connected to poorer health outcomes include things like failing to floss daily and keeping up with dental care, and routinely drinking alcohol. Sugar-sweetened beverages like soft drinks, sweetened tea, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks are also linked to a decline in cognitive function.
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Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/habits-that-hurt-brain-health/
