Page 1 - PeaceHealth | Southwest health | May/June 2013

“Every man can, if he
so desires, become thesculptor
of his own brain.”
—Santiago Ramón y Cajal
Summertime brain
maintenance
AH , THOS E L AZ Y, HAZ Y DAY S OF SUMME R .
Think vacations. Think school breaks. It seems
like a good time for the entire family to just chill
and not do any heavy mental lifting.
As tempting as that may sound, maintaining
good brain health is a year-round activity. Here are
a few fun and easy ways to help keep everyone’s
brain healthy this summer:
Get physical. Head outside with the kids for
some hiking or biking—aerobic exercise gets the
heart pumping, and that helps keep the brain fed
with a healthy supply of blood and oxygen. It can
even spur production of new brain cells, according
to the Alzheimer’s Association. One large study
linked fitness in midlife with a reduced risk for
dementia in older age.
Just make sure all bike riders wear a helmet—it
helps protect the brain from trauma in case of
an accident or fall.
Be a brainiac. Read a book while lounging at
the beach. Break out word games for family game
night. Forcing yourself to think can add new brain
cells and solidify their connections.
Serve some food for thought. Summer is the
perfect time to head to your local farmers market
for foods high in brain-friendly antioxidants. Look
for: Dark-colored vegetables—kale, spinach,
broccoli, and beets Berries—blue, black, and
red Cherries and plums
Also, when firing up the grill, throw on some
salmon, trout, mackerel, or other fish high in
omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the brain.
May/June 2013
SouthwestP e a c e H e a l t h health
MAKE A MENTAL NOTE TO...
Connect with others. Join a club.
Volunteer. Travel. Take a class. Play
sports. Being socially engaged can help
reduce your risk of dementia.
In this issue, you’ll find tips
and articles to help you boost
your brain health this summer.