Healthy behaviors like physical exercise are known to help prevent serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
But did you know they might also lower the risk of Subjective Cognitive Decline? That’s a medical term for worsening or more frequent memory problems.
And it’s more likely to afflict mature adults who have at least one chronic health condition. It’s most common among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease, or who have had a stroke.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights eight steps to improve brain and body health alike.
- Quit smoking.
- Prevent and manage high blood pressure.
- Prevent and manage high cholesterol.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Adopt a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular exercise.
- Get enough sleep. A third of adults report they usually don’t. Exercise can help.
- Stay engaged in life and community. Our location is a great source of social interaction.
- Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Drink in moderation, if at all.
Most of us know that these things are good for our bodies. But if that’s not enough motivation to start exercising and eating right, then the benefits to your brain should get you to come see us and start exercising today.
It’s never too late to see profound improvements to quality and length of life.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.