Brain Health: Listen to Your Body
When it comes to our overall well-being, brain health is just as important as physical health—if not more so. As we age, subtle changes in memory and thinking are normal, but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. Let’s face it: we all get a little forgetful now and then, but there are steps we can take to protect and even strengthen our cognitive abilities.
According to the National Institute on Aging, scientific research suggests that there are lifestyle habits that can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and support long-term brain health. Similarly, the Mayo Clinic echoes this with evidence-based recommendations to keep our minds sharp as we grow older.
Six Key Pillars for a Healthy Brain
- Exercise Regularly – Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and encourages the growth of new brain cells.
- Get Plenty of Sleep – Quality rest helps consolidate memories and clear toxins from the brain.
- Eat a Healthy Diet – Choose brain-boosting foods like leafy greens, berries, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid smoking, and limit alcohol consumption.
- Stay Mentally Active – Challenge your brain with puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or hobbies.
- Remain Socially Engaged – Connection with others helps prevent isolation, which is linked to cognitive decline.
- Keep Your Heart and Blood Vessels Healthy – What’s good for the heart is good for the brain. Manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
The Power of Paying Attention
One of the most overlooked yet vital elements of brain health is self-awareness. Often, we ignore subtle signs or dismiss symptoms, assuming they’re just part of getting older. But that mindset can be dangerous.
The phrase “Listen to your body” isn’t just a saying—it’s a life-saving principle. When we fail to communicate how we’retruly feeling, we deny our healthcare providers and loved ones the chance to help. In medicine, what isn’t shared can’t be treated. When symptoms go unspoken, it can delay diagnosis and care, sometimes with devastating consequences.
A Personal Story That Proves the Point
One of our own experienced firsthand how critical it is to pay attention to the body’s signals:
Listen to Your Body—It Could Save Your Life
“My mother-in-law was in a serious accident. After initial evaluation, she was sent home with stitches and a note about a mild concussion. Over the following weeks, she experienced persistent headaches, which she assumed were just part of the healing process.
But something didn’t sit right with us, and thankfully friends voiced their concern. Her symptoms were gradually worsening. Finally, we insisted on taking her to urgent care, I was struck by how off she looked—I truly feared she was having a stroke. I acted F.A.S.T., and thankfully, so did the urgent care staff.
A CT scan revealed a brain bleed. After some discussion, we learned she had been taking Excedrin to manage her headaches. Unbeknownst to her, it contains aspirin—a blood thinner—which had been making the bleed worse.
Thankfully, we caught it in time, and she received the care she needed. But her symptoms had been present for weeks. If we hadn’t stepped in, the outcome could have been very different.
Let this be a reminder: always listen to your body and the signals it’s sending. Don’t dismiss them or delay seeking help. Speak up, act quickly, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Your life—or theirs—could depend on it.”
Your brain is a powerful and precious part of who you are. Taking care of it requires more than just routine—it calls for awareness, communication, and action. Whether it’s making lifestyle changes or listening closely to what your body is telling you, every step counts.
Your life—and your mind—are worth it.
