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5 Ways To Reduce The Risk of Dementia

Dementia is a disease that affects a by hindering their memory and the way they think. Unfortunately, dementia usually gets progressively worse as time goes on. And it isn’t a stand-alone disease. It’s usually caused by another underlying issue such as Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, over 50 million people suffer from dementia worldwide. While not everyone is going to develop this disease, that doesn’t mean we can’t adopt proactive lifestyle habits that reduce the risk of developing dementia in the first place.

Here are five ways to reduce the risk of dementia:

1. Mentally stimulating activities
Keeping your mind active and healthy are two key factors in reducing the risk of getting dementia. Participating in activities such as practicing yoga or solving a challenging puzzle, like Sudoku, is recommended. Even playing a video game is a great way to stimulate your mind.

2. Regular exercise
Exercising regularly is another proven way to cut the risk of dementia. You’d be surprised how positively exercise can affect your body. Doctors recommend people get at least 150 minutes of exercise every week.

3. Don’t smoke
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, smoking is one of the leading precursors to developing dementia. This is especially true for people who are over the age of 60. Cutting out cigarettes and cigars can cut the risk of dementia in half.

4. Manage weight and heart health
We’ve already covered how exercise benefits you by cutting the risk of dementia. However, there are other ways including eating a well-balanced diet, getting a good night’s rest and cutting out alcohol.

5. Maintain social contact
Having a social life can work wonders for keeping the risk of dementia low. Doctors believe that isolation and loneliness can significantly increase the risk of dementia. Coupled with depression, this risk is increased ten-fold.

Seek help for depression
Speaking of depression, if you’re experiencing episodes, then seeking out help is the best course of action. Depression is the most common mental health issue and can be the catalyst for many conditions, including dementia.

While you cannot control genetics, there are things you can do to protect your brain power. Speak to your doctor about additional ways to keep your mind sharp and other red-flag symptoms you should look for to win the war on dementia, such as: