The brain is complicated, but one important thing to know is that it affects how well we think and remember things. Our brain health is linked to our cognitive health, which means how well our brain works in our daily life.

Many things like getting older, injuries, using drugs or alcohol, and some diseases can change our cognitive health. We can't control all of these factors, but we can make some changes in how we live to take care of our cognitive health and lower the chances of having problems with our thinking and memory.

So, what can you do to keep your brain and thinking skills in good shape?

HOW THE BRAIN CHANGES AS WE GET OLDER:

Let's talk about how the brain changes as we grow older. Some common changes that happen to the brain as we age are:

Losing brain cells: This can make our brain smaller.

Slower thinking: Brain cells work more slowly.

Less of certain chemicals: Our brain doesn't have as much of the chemicals dopamine and serotonin.

Slower cell replacement: Our brain cells don't get replaced as quickly as when we were younger.

These changes can affect our memory and learning abilities. But there are things we can do to keep our brain healthy and working well.

STEPS TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY

Small changes in our everyday lives can help keep our brain and thinking skills sharp:

Take Care of your Body: Go to the doctor regularly, avoid using too much alcohol or smoking, get enough sleep, manage health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, and be careful not to get hurt in accidents.

Eat Well: A healthy diet is good for your body and your brain. Some studies show that eating a diet like the Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of problems like Alzheimer's disease and heart issues.

Stay active: Move your body through exercise or doing household chores. This helps your body and your brain stay healthy and lowers the risk of thinking problems.

Keep your Mind Active: Do things that make you think, like puzzles, games, learning new things, writing, or listening to music. This helps your memory and concentration.

Handle Stress: Find ways to relax and deal with stress because it can affect your thinking.

Stay Connected: Spend time with other people and avoid being alone too much. Having friends and family around is good for your brain.

These are just a few simple ways you can take care of your brain and lower the chances of having thinking problems like dementia. Remember, you might not be able to prevent everything, but these choices can help a lot.