When was the last time you thought to yourself “I can’t eat this because it’ll ruin my brain health.”? If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t, but it may be time to start thinking that way.
HABITS THAT ARE BAD FOR YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
Research shows that your brain volume declines at around five percent per decade after the age of 40. And the bad habits below can accelerate that brain degeneration.
1. Watching Too Much TV
Research suggests that watching too much TV in your 20s could hurt your brain later in life. In this 23-year study, researchers investigated how TV and physical activity affected the mental health of 3,200 men and women. The participants had an average age of 25 when the study started.
After 25 years, researchers found that high-TV watchers (those who watched TV for more than three hours a day) were likely to perform poorly in mental function tests compared to low-TV watchers.
However, we shouldn’t ignore the correlating factors. People who watch TV for long hours are more likely to be inactive and make poor diet choices.
2. Multitasking
Your ability to multitask may not be a superpower. It can actually ruin your memory and attention. This was proven by a Stanford University study.
In the study, students filled out questionnaires about their media use. Researchers then compared their performance in three cognitive tests.
The results showed that heavy media users had poor concentration and had difficulty switching tasks.
3. Smoking Pot
Pot smokers would have you believe that pot has no negative effects, but science shows otherwise.
In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers found that young adults smoking who smoked marijuana experienced changes in their brain structure by altering the amygdala, which controls emotions and the nucleus accumbens, which controls reward and addiction.
These effects made young marijuana smokers prone to drug addiction. They were also more likely to change their emotions and thought processes in unknown ways.
Cigarettes are even worse since, cigarette smoking has been shown to shrink the brain.
4. Eating Too Much
Numerous studies show that low calorie intake is essential for a long and healthy life. In fact, people who overeat are more likely to experience an accelerated mental decline, according to research.
Instead of starving yourself, replace the high-calorie foods in your diet with low-calorie nutrient-dense foods.
5. Stress
According to a report published in the Alzheimer’s society, stress can age your brain by up to four years.
Unfortunately, stress is not something we can always control. Sometimes it’s caused by unexpected things like accidents or losing a job. However, you can counter it through meditation, yoga, walking, and regular workouts.
Other bad habits that harm your brain include:
- lack of sleep
- lack of a social life
- eating too much salt
- heavy drinking
SOURCE: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-everyday-habits-that-are-bad-for-your-brain.html
