7 Harmful Habits That Kill Your Brain

Today, we're delving into a fascinating and crucial topic: the human brain, the powerful control center of your body. It's a vital organ for your survival, responsible for cognition and coordinating all functions of your organism. But have you ever stopped to think that there are habits that can compromise the health of this incredible organ? We're not just talking about psychological impacts, but also physical consequences. Some habits can degrade neurons, impair communication between them, and even reduce brain tissue, making it more vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of these habits and how to avoid them to keep our brains in great shape.

1. **Not Challenging It Enough**: How often do you challenge your mind? Did you know that failing to engage in mentally stimulating activities can lead to decreased cognitive function and memory loss? According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults who participate in mentally stimulating activities, such as volunteering or educational courses, have improved cognitive function compared to those who do not engage in similar activities. Additionally, researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that engaging in new and mentally stimulating activities in an enriching environment can increase the growth of new neurons in the brain and strengthen existing connections.
2. **Not Hydrating It Sufficiently**: Make sure to stay hydrated. Prolonged dehydration can cause your brain to shrink, which is common in elderly individuals dehydrated for many years. Additionally, dehydration can decrease blood flow to the brain, leading to reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients. This can result in reduced brain function and an increased risk of developing neurological problems. The brain is composed of 85% water, which powers it to function continuously.
3. **Not Dealing with Chronic Stress**: Do you find yourself pushing some of your stress away without actually facing it? Work or life piles up on you, and you simply push all your feelings away? Sometimes, you may feel so overwhelmed or busy that you forget you're stressed at the moment. Not realizing you're chronically stressed and therefore not dealing with it can lead to harmful changes in the structure and function of your brain.
4. **Consuming Excess Salt**: Ever craved foods like potato chips, pizza, steak, and salted nuts? Eating too much salt might not be the best for your brain. A 2019 study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that high levels of dietary salt caused a chemical change in a protein called Tau. This change, called phosphorylation, causes Tau to clump together in the brain, which is associated with dementia types, including Alzheimer's disease.
5. **Multitasking**: Are you a multitasker and often try to do several things at once? Different people handle multitasking in different ways. While some may have no issues with it, others may find it very challenging. Although working on multiple things at once can cause a decrease in the quality of work, our growing digital world has made multitasking more prevalent.
6. **Excessive Screen Time**: Do you spend too much time looking at that bright screen all day? Think about how much you use it. It turns out that, according to research by Dr. Gaia Dowling, having too much screen time isn't great for your eyes or your brain's health. Studies have found that excessive screen time can actually cause changes in the structure and function of the brain.
7. **Poor Posture**: Are you hunched over now watching this video? If you are, maybe try sitting up straight. Posture can actually impact brain health as it reduces flow to it. When you slouch, you may press on the veins and arteries that supply blood to the brain, which can lead to reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients.

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