Healthy habits lead to a healthy heart as well as many other benefits, but did you know that a healthy brain is one of them?
Brain health and heart health are closely connected. By forging healthy lifestyle habits at any age, you will keep both your brain and heart at peak performance. According to a recent survey from the American Heart Association (AHA), the greatest challenges adults in the United States face to maintain heart and brain health are stress and poor diet.
Many are Unaware of the Connection
The AHA conducted a survey of 2,000 adults across three age groups, including Generation X (aged 40-54 years), Millennials (ages 23-39 years), and Generation Z (18-22 years). The survey found that, overall, fewer than half of the adults surveyed rated their brain health as “very good or excellent.”
The same survey also found that 1 in 4 respondents said they were unaware of the connection between heart health and brain health. In addition, the youngest adults (Generation Z) reported significantly lower levels of emotional well-being and brain health compared to older generations.
Try These Tips to Improve Your Health
Luckily, it’s never too late to try these tips to improve your health.
- Eat smart. Research suggests that a cup of greens each day may slow brain aging and eating fish such as tuna and salmon can help maintain emotional balance and reduce inflammation from heart disease.
- Sleep well. Sleep lets the brain learn and grow; aim for seven to nine hours a night for optimal health and to allow your brain to process all of the thinking and learning from a day.
- Get moving. Physical activity is as good for the brain as it is for the whole body. Data shows that exercise increases a protein in the brain that impacts learning and memory. Aim to be active for 150 minutes per week to reap the benefits of a stronger body and mind. In essence, the more you move, the healthier your brain.
- Stay connected. Making social connections strengthens the brain, so make time for your friends and family. Make it a priority to connect with someone at least once a week, whether in person or by phone.
Visit heart.org for more information and tips from the AHA on living a longer and healthier life. And contact USA Doctors Online to find a healthcare provider in your area.
