Earlier this year, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey hosted the NJ Healthy Aging Summit on Opioid Safety & Alternatives to examine the health and safety issues affecting older adults and those who care for them. The event reinforced that aging well involves more than managing medications and addressing physical health. Supporting cognitive health is also essential to maintaining independence and quality of life.
For this installment in our Healthy Aging series, Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, of Kessler Foundation, explains why caring for the brain matters at every age. She also offers accessible ways to support memory, learning and cognitive resilience through movement, sleep, nutrition, social connection, stress management and continued learning.
In the coming months, we look forward to sharing more guidance and insights from Summit participants that older adults, caregivers and families can put into practice. Thank you to the professionals and community members who contributed to this important discussion.
Learn more at NJHealthyAging.com
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Your Brain Is Your Greatest Asset:
Why Brain Health Matters and How to Protect It
Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD,
Director of the Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research and the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Kessler Foundation
When people think about staying healthy, they often focus on their heart, weight, or physical fitness. Yet one of the most important aspects of health is often overlooked: brain health.
Your brain is your body's command center. It allows you to think, learn, remember, communicate, solve problems, manage emotions, and build meaningful relationships. In many ways, our brains make us who we are.
The importance of brain health continues to grow as our population ages and cognitive disorders become more common. Research shows that many factors associated with cognitive decline are modifiable. Physical activity, quality sleep, stress management, intellectual engagement, social connection, and a healthy diet all play important roles in maintaining brain function and reducing the risk of future cognitive problems.
The encouraging news is that our everyday choices can strengthen brain networks and help build resilience in the face of aging, illness, or injury. While we cannot control every aspect of brain health, there are practical steps we can take to support healthy brain function throughout our lives.
1. Move Your Body Regularly
Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and supports the growth and survival of brain cells. Regular exercise has been linked to improvements in memory, attention, and overall cognitive function.
2. Prioritize Sleep
Quality sleep helps consolidate memories, supports learning, and clears waste products that accumulate in the brain throughout the day. Consistent, restorative sleep is essential for both mental and physical health.
3. Eat for Brain Health
A healthy diet provides the nutrients your brain needs to function at its best. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting highly processed foods and added sugars.
4. Maintain Social Connections
Meaningful relationships and social engagement support emotional well-being and cognitive health. Staying connected with family, friends, and community can help reduce stress and promote healthy brain function.
5. Manage Stress
Chronic stress can negatively affect memory, attention, and mood. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, regular physical activity, and spending time with supportive people can help manage stress and protect brain health.
6. Invest in Lifelong Learning
The brain thrives on new challenges and experiences. Reading, learning a new skill, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in stimulating conversations can help build cognitive reserve and resilience throughout life.
Protect Your Brain, Protect Your Future
Investing in brain health is an investment in every aspect of life. A healthy brain supports independence, productive work, meaningful relationships, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning. By caring for your brain today, you can enhance memory, strengthen resilience, and improve your overall quality of life for years to come.