Our brain is a vital part of our body. It is the center of our decision making process, controls the function of the other body parts, regulates our breathing and heartbeat, and so on. However, the brain is also very delicate. Some of our daily habits may harm our brain, and we may not even be aware of them. So, pay attention to 6 common habits that can damage your brain!

Doing nothing.

Yup, doing nothing can damage your brain in the long run. Think of your brain like a muscle: If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Your brain is designed to think. Acquiring new skills, learning different languages, having interesting conversations, reading, challenging old belief systems, or even puzzles and crosswords can help stimulate your brain and develop neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt).

Consuming too much sugar.

Sugar is usually linked with health conditions like diabetes and obesity, but it turns out that consuming too much sugar can harm your brain, too. How so? High blood sugar can shrink the brain and affect the brain’s functional connectivity, disrupting the brain’s ability to learn and memorize.

Sitting all day.

A lot of jobs require us to sit for long periods. However, this is detrimental to our brains and overall health. Sitting means inactivity, and inactivity is the opposite of healthy. When you are physically active, it keeps the brain arteries open, boosting blood flow, which carries oxygen and other essential nutrients to the brain. On the other hand, if you sit too much, your brain could look just like that of someone with dementia. Sitting too much also raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Listening to loud music.

Hearing loss is linked to brain shrinkage and an increased risk of developing dementia. One possibility is that the brain has to work harder to process what is being said and it is not able to store what was heard into memory. Using your earphones and listening to music for 30 minutes continually can permanently damage your brain.

Not getting enough sleep.

A third of American adults don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lack of sleep may cause excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, and problems with cognitive performance, including memory, reasoning, problem-solving and communications skills. Moreover, poor sleeping habits are associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Smoking.

It is well known that smoking harms a lot of organs in our body, and that includes the brain. Smoking can shrink your brain, causing memory loss and damaging blood vessels, thus reducing blood flow to the brain, which also means that your brain receives less oxygen and nutrients.

To fix these habits, there are a few things you can do. You can keep your brain active by learning new languages and doing crossword puzzles. Finding delicious and healthy alternatives to replace added sugars, such as fruits, will help you cut back your sugar intake as well. Other than that, doing simple home exercises, or simply walking around the neighborhood, can be good for your brain and your physical health.

If you want to listen to music, you can! But keep the volume under 60% of your device’s maximum volume, and make sure to not listen to it for long hours. Try to also fix your sleep schedule by keeping a consistent bedtime schedule and ditch the distractions. Deep breathing and meditation might help improve your sleep quality, too. Lastly, learn to quit smoking! If you need help to quit smoking, talk to a doctor about nicotine patches and prescription medications. There are quit smoking programs and other resources that your doctor can recommend for you as well.

Read more articles:

• https://www.livestrong.com/article/13767404-habits-bad-for-brain-health/ 

• https://medium.com/personal-growth/7-daily-habits-that-harm-your-brain-d0921238ec6 

• https://hopecliniccare.com/myofascial-release-therapy-how-does-it-work/