Have a Brain Healthy Party During the Holidays!

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It's that time of year for holiday visits with friends and family.  Research shows staying socially engaged is good for the brain and one of the five pillars of brain health.  Add in the other four recommended by experts and you will have the recipe for a brain healthy party.

The next pillar of brain health is Discover: Learn new things. Our brain is stimulated and grows when we learn new things or pursue new interests. Give party guests a good mental workout by doing something that challenges their thinking and encourages grappling with something new or complex.  Consider teaching your party guests a new dance step, a song in a second language, a complex arts and crafts activity, or play a challenging card or board game.

The third pillar is Move: Exercise.

Beyond the physical, exercise has many benefits. It is good for your brain and heart, and it reduces stress.  Take your party guests on a walk or if you had them dancing you have already completed this part!

Next is Nourish: Eat a brain-healthy diet.  What you eat has a big impact on your brain. Although no specific diet has been proven to maintain or improve brain health, studies have found that certain eating plans help cognition. These plans justify serving fewer sweets at parties while offering nuts, beans, grains, leafy green vegetables and using healthy fats, such as olive oil.

Lastly, Relax: sleep and reduce stress.  End your party early so your guests can get home for 7-8 hours of sleep.  Add in Tai Chi or Yoga movement at your party to help reduce stress. Know that smiling, laughing and a good sense of humor also keep stress levels down.

Make sure any party you have is a brain healthy party!

 

Photo Credit: YakobchukOlena