Hello, this blog post is coming from Dr. Lopez’s eldest daughter, Jessica Brumm, virtual Practice Manager for Adult Medicine Concierge – Jupiter’s Finest Concierge practice. I wanted to bring you 5 tips for a sharper mind. Before doing so, I wanted to let you know I was touched by a vignette my mother shares with the author, Sanjay Gupta, CNN chief medical correspondent.
Here’s a glimpse of his story my mother shares, and then I’ll tell you the context in which it applies to my mother’s own childhood story. “When Sanjay Gupta was a child, his family experienced a traumatic event: Gupta’s father was mugged. A horrible experience, for sure. But years later, when Gupta related the story to a teacher, the teacher related a lesson that Gupta hadn’t previously considered: Bad guys may be able to steal your possessions. But they can’t take your mind.” Dr. Irma Lopez grew up in Communist Cuba where possessions of any kind were scarce. In a country like the USA where so much abundance abounds it’s hard to wrap our mind around the concept of scarcity. This was a concept Dr. Lopez was far too familiar with. However, her mother, my grandmother, told her “we may not have much to eat nor shoes on our feet to wear, but we can have knowledge; no one can take away what you store in your brain.” This reality propelled her to become the dedicated and knowledgeable Dr. Lopez we know and love today.
Boost Your Brain Health with Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Five Pillars
In his new book, Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon, emphasizes the importance of maintaining brain health through simple, daily habits. He outlines five key pillars to help you keep your mind sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Here’s a recap of these essential strategies:
1. Move More: Physical Activity Exercise is crucial for brain health. Regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which helps nourish brain cells and maintain cognitive functions. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Incorporating strength training and balance exercises can also enhance overall brain function. The key takeaway is to do a different workout than what you regularly do.
2. Discover Joy: Social Connections Maintaining strong social ties is linked to a lower risk of dementia. Engaging in meaningful conversations and activities with friends, family, and community members can stimulate the brain, improve mood, and reduce stress. Try to stay connected by joining clubs, volunteering, or simply making time for regular social gatherings.
3. Nourish Your Brain: Healthy Eating A nutritious diet supports brain health. Dr. Gupta recommends a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Foods high in antioxidants, like berries, and omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, are particularly beneficial. Limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can also help protect brain function.
4. Keep Learning: Cognitive Stimulation Challenging your brain with new and stimulating activities can enhance cognitive reserve. Engage in activities that require mental effort, such as reading, puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or playing musical instruments. Lifelong learning keeps the brain adaptable and resilient. Fun fact: Dr. Lopez is practicing Portuguese and French.
5. Sleep Well: Restorative Sleep Quality sleep is vital for brain health. During sleep, the brain clears out toxins and consolidates memories. Aim for 7-9 hours of restorative sleep each night. Establish a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and avoid screens before bed to improve sleep quality.
By incorporating these five pillars into your daily routine, you can support your brain health and maintain mental sharpness at any age. Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age provides practical advice and scientific insights to help you build a better brain and enjoy a fulfilling, cognitively healthy life. Read the full article here: //www.inc.com/justin-bariso/a-neurosurgeon-says-sharpest-minds-do-these-5-things-daily.html?mc_cid=095a8cf7f4&mc_eid=bb04f81481
We invite you to share this information with your friends and family. If you have a question about our practice or something you’ve seen in the news, give me a call at (847)910-7324.
