THESE 8 THINGS WE DO DAMAGE OUR BRAINS:
1. SKIPPING BREAKFAST.
It’s a common habit among people to either skip breakfast, or eat sugary, nutrient-deficient foods that boost their insulin, and leave them feeling tired and uninterested in doing pretty much anything. Instead, opt for whole, fresh, ripe fruits and veggies or starches in order to provide your body with the energy it needs.
In addition, make sure your breakfast is abundant in nutrients, for instance, a fruity smoothie, oatmeal, whole fruits, or a green juice. Supplying your blood with the essential vitamins and minerals will give you the energy you need to go through the day. Plus, your blood sugar will be under control.
2. AVOIDING EXERCISE.
Although it’s commonly accepted that physical activity is very important for our body and our health, regular exercise is generally avoided under various excuses. But, if you see the brain as any muscle in the body, which becomes stiff and sore when inactive for a longer period of time, the same applies to the brain. Both physical and mental exercises are beneficial for the brain. So, stimulate the blood flow through exercise and then challenge your brain with mental activity at least once a day – read something, watch a documentary, or have a stimulating conversation. Be open to learning new things as you’ll be exercising your brain in the process.
3. OVERLOADING OUR BRAIN WITH INFORMATION.
The modern ear we live in involves tons of information everywhere – on our phones, on the radio, on our computers, and even on our wrists. Thus we easily fall into a state of information overload. However, the actual problem isn’t the information itself, but the fact that our short-term memory is only limited to small amounts of information. So, every new piece of information erases another piece of information so as to fit in. Losing the important information to make room for “news” can be quite counter-effective, especially when it comes to our work or families. Work toward disconnecting and appreciating the right kind of information in order to protect your brain from overloading.
4. MULTITASKING.
Multitasking can be extremely strenuous for our brain as it tires the brain and makes it virtually impossible to be productive. Although it’s highly appreciated in many working environments, because it’s regarded as a sign of achievement, today it’s increasingly accepted that multi-tasking does neither improve, nor benefit your work. Your performance will be far better if you don’t overstrain your brain by multi-tasking, but stick to single-tasking instead.
5. SMOKING.
It’s nothing new to say that smoking is a bad habit. Any activity that decreases the oxygen supply to the body is harmful for the brain too. It’s not just your brain and lungs that are affected by smoking; it has negative impact on other parts of the body that your brain health depends on including the carotid artery that carries blood and oxygen to the brain.
6. NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER.
This may come as a surprise, but according to a report by CBS, a high 75% of Americans are affected with chronic dehydration.
This condition should be taken seriously especially if we know that water accounts for 60% of our bodies, 75% of our muscles, and 85% of our brains. Various body functions and parts can be severely affected by dehydration making you feel tired, sick, and simply exhausted.
According to an article on WebMD, health experts think that it isn’t necessary to drink eight glasses of water a day, but a minimum of half an ounce to an ounce for each pound you weigh.
There are other factors that should also be taken into consideration when calculating how much water you need to drink per day and these include exercise and the climate where you live. For instance, a very hot climate and frequent outdoor workouts require more than the recommended amount. On the other hand, a cooler climate and a more sedentary lifestyle ask for less water intake, or an amount close to the lower end of the range.
7. BEING UNHAPPY.
Not just lifestyle habits, but negativity too can have adverse impact on your brain. A happy brain releases endorphins, which are natural stress and pain relieving hormones. These hormones are also released when we exercise. What they do is make us feel good about ourselves, which as a result, creates more happiness. It’s important to treat yourself to activities that make you feel happy, and to do this every day. By nurturing our playful and creative self, we are providing our brain with what it needs to help us through more difficult times.
8. NOT GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.
Sleep is vital for overall health because several important functions take place during sleep. Not only is the body resting, but it is also repairing itself. The muscles are repairing, the memory is fusing, and various hormones linked to growth, appetite and other vital activities are released. After sleep, we wake up feeling relaxed and refreshed, ready for everything the day has in store for us. In contrast, a poor night’s sleep deprives us of the vital energy we need for the next day.
