From several articles in The Boston Globe.
1. Exercise regularly
Minimum of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week, will keep your heart young while improving your figure, mood, and brainpower. If you have a step counter on your cell phone, try for at least 6,000 steps per day.
Wear sun protection. Apply moisturizer regularly to exposed skin on arms and legs.
2. Eat a mostly Mediterranean diet
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Cook with olive oil instead of butter. Skip the refined sugar. Eat fresh vegetables and fruit. Drink lots of water.
3. “Sin” less
Don’t smoke. Limit drinking to no more than one drink a day for women, two for men.
4. Sleep
Getting less than 6.5 hours at night puts you at risk for a host of physical and mental problems.
5. Cultivate mental health
Middle age and later is the time to get rid of emotional baggage that stresses you out. Focus on the positive. Be grateful. Meditate. Relax.
6. Control your blood pressure
High blood pressure today sets you up for dementia later.
7. Eat your vitamins
The best way to get vitamins and minerals is from a well-balanced diet.
8. Keep friends close
People who maintain broad social networks as they age have higher scores on intelligence tests and lower rates of dementia.
9. Learn something new every day
Studies suggest the more you challenge your brain, the better it performs. Learn varied things and participate in group activities.
10. Avoid diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can thin the brain’s cortex, increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Diet and exercise are the best prevention.
I welcome your suggestions, questions, or comments.
Thank you for visiting,
me, Barry Phegan
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