Here's what neurobiologists advise to keep your brain healthy

A new year means new resolutions. And for experts like American neurobiologist Emily McDonald, taking care of your brain health should be one of them. Far less restrictive and drastic than 'I work out every day', these simple tips will maximize your quality of life.

Healthy routine

Emily McDonald, a neurobiologist by profession, loves to share her tips for maintaining good brain health on social networks. When you consider that the brain alone monopolizes 20% of the body's energy needs, and that on average more than 60,000 thoughts pass through it every day, it's easy to see why it's so important to keep it healthy.

The American gives two main pieces of advice:

- Avoid over-consumption: especially passive consumption of TV news. The news is often tragic and has a long-term impact on mental well-being. The worst time is in the evening when bad news raises cortisol levels and alters sleep quality;

- Avoid judging yourself and others too harshly: Such anattitude leads to a poor mindset and a tendency to always look on the wrong side of things. In the long run, this will also negatively impact brain health.

Special brain food

Other studies also stress the importance of a healthy diet for a healthy brain. Consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is highly beneficial.Foods to be favored include wild oily fish (herring, sardines, etc.), berries, nuts, eggs and olive oil. Alcohol, sugary and ultra-processed industrial foods should be avoided. Reflection and memory activities are thought to contribute to good brain plasticity.

Despite their practicality, wireless Bluetooth headphones are beginning to come under fire, particularly for regular, prolonged listening.

Finally, one of the best weapons for protecting the brain is sleep. Good, restorative sleep enables the glymphatic system, the centralnervous system's waste evacuation system, to function optimally and thus 'clean the brain'.

This article has been translated from Gentside FR

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Source:

Emily McDonald