Confused About Cognition? An Overview of Cognitive Health
Cognition is a term referring to your brain processes including thinking, remembering, and learning. Cognitive health describes how well our cognitive processes are working, including how well a person can pay attention, make decisions, problem-solve, remember things, learn new knowledge, and more. It is all too easy to take our cognitive health for granted as these are processes that we do everyday. However, just like our physical health, our cognitive health can change and may decline if we don’t nurture it.
So, you might be wondering, how do I know if I have good or poor cognitive health? What can I do to promote my cognitive health? Let’s discuss!
First, there is no singular cause of cognitive decline, but a number of symptoms can indicate that a person may be experiencing a decline in their cognitive function or overall cognitive health:
Bewilderment or confusion by otherwise normal events.
Struggling with motor coordination such as maintaining balance and posture.
An inability to meet day-to-day demands, including difficulties in planning, using reasonable judgement, and completing select tasks.
Memory loss, including forgetting important names, stories, or faces.
Additionally, cognitive decline can be frustrating and frightening. Some individuals may respond with emotional outbursts, while others respond with a complete lack of emotion.
This is not to say that you should be concerned if you forget things or misplace belongings; this happens to everyone and can actually be quite normal. However, when forgetfulness and disorganization become commonplace and start impacting a person’s ability to complete everyday tasks, it may be a sign of declining or poor cognitive health. It may even be a sign of developing a neurocognitive disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
So, what do I do with this information?
While some degree of cognitive decline is expected with age, drastic and/or sudden changes in cognitive functioning can be cause for concern. However, it is not all bad news! In fact, there are a number of things that we can do to protect and promote our cognitive health across the lifespan. Addressing your lifestyle behaviours can have large and lasting benefits no matter your age or circumstance. Some examples include:
Eating well. Food is fuel for the brain as well as the rest of your body. Studies suggest that consuming plenty of fruit (berries in particular), nuts, leafy vegetables, and whole grains are beneficial for cognitive health.
Being physically active. 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a few days a week can help prevent declines in physical health but also cognitive health. Exercise also releases important chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins and serotonin, which further contribute to overall health and wellbeing.
Getting lots of sleep. Getting 7 to 8 hours of high-quality rest each night not only allows your body to rest and recover, but also allows the same for your brain. A good night’s sleep is also critical for growth and development, consolidating memories, and more.
Managing stress. This may be easier said than done but is nonetheless valuable; high levels of stress can do incredible damage to the brain over time. Take necessary steps to manage your stress levels through meditation, yoga, therapy, deep breathing, etc.
Staying connected. Interacting with friends and family or engaging in social events/gatherings can help the brain remain active while warding off the effects of isolation and loneliness. Social support also helps decrease stress!
Challenging your brain. Whether this is through a new hobby, reading, taking a class, or volunteering, intellectual engagement helps protect against declines in cognitive function. Ensure to keep your body and brain active for optimal healthy aging.
To learn more about brain health and protecting yourself against premature cognitive decline, book our expert Speaker, Cynthia for your next event! Her talk contains a wealth of information on the the key components of brain health, as well as why lifestyle behaviours can offset risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Cynthia will equip audience members with actionable steps and evidence-based knowledge to keep the brain functioning at optimal levels. Learn more about this Boosting Brain Health talk by clicking here, and get started booking Cynthia as your next health and wellness speaker here.
Written by:
Cynthia McDowell, MSc., WellIntel Talks COO, Expert Speaker and PhD Student in Experimental Psychology