Bad Habits for Your Brain
By Paul Rothbart
Like any other organ in the body, the brain needs to be cared for. Proper diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep are the standards and well known to most people. But there are some bad habits that people can fall into that are less than optimal for your brain. These practices can have a negative impact on cognitive function and memory. Here are some habits to avoid.
Turning Up The Volume When Using Headphones
Most people love music and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, listening to music is very good for your health. The problem is when people use headphones or earbuds and turn the volume all the way up. This is clearly bad for your ears, but it can also harm the functioning of your brain.
A study involving 639 adults aged 36 to 90 discovered that people experiencing hearing loss due to continued loud sounds had nearly twice the risk of dementia. Turning down the music to a reasonable volume is recommended as is wearing earplugs in noisy environments at work or elsewhere. The rule of thumb when wearing headphones is that if you can't hear someone standing within three feet of you, the volume is too loud.
Avoiding Flu Vaccines
The flu vaccine is not mandatory and in the 2018-19 flu season more than 50 percent of Americans chose not to get it. Research conducted at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that in people between the ages 75 and 84, getting an influenza vaccination was linked to a reduced risk of dementia. Other researchers found the risk to be lessened by 25-30 percent. Certainly getting a flu vaccine doesn't prevent dementia, but these findings are one more thing to consider when deciding whether or not to get one.
Focusing on the Negative
Being obsessed with past mistakes, unpleasant experiences, and negative thoughts is no way to go through life. It's hard to stay happy or make progress in anything when you focus on the negative. It may also be bad for your brain. A study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia linked negative thinking to cognitive decline in people 55 and older. Although negative thoughts are part of being human and don't guarantee dementia, why not try to avoid having them? The result will be positive overall.
The brain tends to slow as we age, but there are ways to combat it, and you certainly don't have to help it along. Avoid these bad habits and reduce the risk of cognitive decline as you get older. Life for seniors is more fun with a sharp mind.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Machesney Park, Ill.