Many people focus on physical health, but brain health is also important. Lack of sleep harms cognitive skills. Prolonged sitting reduces blood flow to the brain. Chronic stress damages areas responsible for memory and emotional regulation. Simple habits like avoiding screen time, taking breaks from sitting, and practicing mindfulness can help. These changes can protect the brain from irreversible damage. It’s no secret that we live in a fitness frenzy world. From spending hours in the gym to trying out almost every single diet plan available on the face of the earth, people go to great lengths to maintain their physical health.But while the body gets all the attention, the wellness of thebrain takes a back seat. Not just that, some habits we think are harmless can instead wreak havoc on the brain. Let’s take a look at three common habits that damage the brain beyond repair.
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Sleep is essential for brain health, yet millions skimp on it. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for the body and mind to repair, restore, and recharge. Sleep affects physical health, brain function, emotional well-being, and energy. Chronic sleep deprivation disrupts the brain’s ability to repair itself and crucial cognitive skills such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. Getting less than seven hours of sleep per night can cause devastating effects on the brain. Simple habits like avoiding screentime at least two hours before sleep, quitting caffeine intake about four to six hours before your bedtime, and maintaining a healthy sleep routine can help to combat sleep deprivation.This might come as a surprise to you, but yes, sitting for long hours is killing your brain. Sedentary lifestyles, particularly prolonged sitting, are increasingly common and damaging. Most people have jobs that require being seated for eight to 10 hours. This habit, common in desk jobs and screen-heavy routines, reduces blood flow to the brain, starving it of oxygen and nutrients. Prolonged sitting decreases cerebral blood flow, which accelerates cognitive decline.Over time it can contribute to the reduction in brain volume, particularly in areas tied tomemory and reasoning. Sedentary behavior also raises inflammation markers, which damage neural tissue. It can lead to dementia and cognitive decline. What can be done? Take a short break every 20 to 30 minutes, and go for a two or three-minute walk. This can help you reduce the negative effects of prolonged sitting to an extent.
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All that stress is not doing a favour to your brain. In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress is pervasive. However, chronic stress can have a deleterious effect on your body. Stress floods the brain with cortisol, which over time kills neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala, the areas responsible for memory and emotional regulation. Chronic stress rewires the brain and shrinks its capacity to adapt. This can lead to irreversible conditions like major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Stress management is crucial. Simple things like practicing mindfulness, exercise, and therapy can lower cortisol levels.
