The brain is the 'master' part of our body. It plays a very important role in the functioning of all the body functions, emotional control. What you think, what you feel, how you learn and remember things, how you walk and talk, all these things are controlled and operated by the brain. For example, the brain can be called the central computer of the body which controls all the functions of the body.
This makes it clear that keeping the brain fit is most important for keeping the body healthy and working properly. However, due to some bad habits in our daily routine and disturbances in diet, many types of problems related to the brain are increasing.
Keeping these in mind, World Brain Day is celebrated every year on 22 July with the aim of raising public awareness on various neurological health topics and educating people about keeping the brain healthy.
Increased risk of brain disorders
International health organizations are very concerned about the increasing brain disorders around the world. Experts say that many factors including climate change, disruption in daily routine are increasing the problems for the brain. Due to increasing temperature, environmental factors like pollution and habits like smoking and physical inactivity, problems like stroke, migraine, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's have become much more common than before. Even young people are now falling prey to these diseases.
Let us know which of our habits are harming the brain and which need to be improved immediately?
Sitting too much is harmful
The average adult sits for six and a half hours a day, according to a report from Johns Hopkins, and all that time spent sitting in a chair has a huge impact on the brain. A study published in 2018 found that prolonged sitting causes changes in the part of the brain that is important for memory.
Researchers found in MRIs of some participants aged 45 to 75 that those who were more sedentary had significantly thinner medial temporal lobe (MTL). The MTL is the part of the brain that forms new memories. This change may increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
be careful if you don't get enough sleep
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report that one-third of adults around the world do not get seven to eight hours of sleep every day. A research related to this found that people who sleep less are more likely to suffer from brain disorders. This also reduces cognitive skills – such as memory, reasoning and problem solving power. Lack of sleep for a long time also increases the risk of many mental diseases.
effect of bad eating habits
Your diet also plays an important role in brain health. Excess sugar intake can negatively affect the hippocampus, the memory center of the brain. Avoid high sugar foods and drinks such as bread, biscuits and packed juices. Additionally, fried foods and alcohol also affect brain function. High salt in the diet also increases the risk of life-threatening problems like increased blood pressure and brain stroke.
