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June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time not only to advocate for those living with dementia, but to keep your own brain healthy.
By 2025, it is estimated that 190,000 Virginians will be living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia. It causes a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and social skills which affect a person’s ability to function. There is no cure for the disease, so it’s important to adopt a lifestyle that promotes brain health and reduces cognitive decline. Here are some ways you can keep your brain healthy:
• Be a Social Butterfly – Keep in touch with friends and family. Don’t become isolated.
• Move It – Aim for 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week. Walk, garden, play with your grandkids, or stop by Maury River Senior Services to use the exercise equipment there. Call (540) 261-7474 to learn more.
• Engage Your Brain – Explore new hobbies and interests. Stimulate your thinking. VPAS café members in Lexington and Buena Vista recently made bee hotels and seed bombs with a wildflower/ pollinator seed mixture. Seek out whatever piques your curiosity.
• Prioritize Restorative Sleep – Get 7-8 hours of restful sleep every day. Turn off screens an hour before bed. Consider reading, listening to music, or taking a bath. When you get out of the tub, the drop in body temperature may make you feel tired.
• Manage Stress – Practice relaxation techniques and maintain a daily schedule.
• Eat Well – Choose a nutritious, heart-healthy diet including fish, veggies and fruits. What’s good for your heart is good for your brain, even later in life. According to the American Heart Association, maintaining a healthy weight, managing your blood pressure and following other heart-healthy lifestyle behaviors can also support good brain health.
If you’re caring for someone living with dementia, there are excellent resources available that will not only help boost your loved one’s quality of life, but help you manage your own stress as well. Contact Heather Lawrence, VPAS caregiver support coordinator, at [email protected] or (540) 615-5341.
