It's never too early to focus on your brain health. While most of us are probably not thinking about old age or dementia right now, it becomes increasingly important for all of us, regardless of our age, to be aware about the medical conditions that most commonly affect the rapidly expanding older population. 

Despite advancements in modern medicine, dementia remains one of the most common medical conditions without a cure. Very little is actually known about dementia, and further research into the causes and treatment of dementia is ongoing. Nevertheless, in this article, we will briefly discuss the benefits of both mental and physical exercises that you can incorporate into your daily routines to improve brain health and reduce risks for developing dementia. While these suggested activities may be more appropriate for older adults, their health benefits can be enjoyed by people of all ages. 

Before we begin, let's briefly introduce what dementia is and what causes it. Dementia is an umbrella term for a wide variety of symptoms including memory loss, disorientation, and personality changes. While dementia most commonly affects the older population, it is not necessarily linked to natural aging. In simple terms, it is caused by damage to the brain cells; when regular communication between brain cells is interrupted, it is more difficult for the affected region of the brain to carry out its function. While dementia cannot actually be prevented, studies have shown that we can make simple changes in our everyday lives to reduce our risks for developing dementia. 

Mental exercise

Research studies have suggested that a wide variety of mental exercises can help boost cognitive function. Some of these include solving basic arithmetic problems, learning a new language, reading out loud, and playing musical instruments, just to name a few. While most mental activities should be effective, those that activate the cognitive functions of the front region of your brain, the prefrontal cortex, are optimal because this region is involved in functions like memory and reasoning. 

Engaging in these simple activities regularly for a short amount of time every day can help your brain to build new connections, a process known as brain plasticity. Doing so keeps the brain healthy and active, ultimately reducing the risk of developing dementia or delaying the onset of dementia. 

Physical exercise 

Like the many ways in which you could exercise your brain through mental exercise, physical exercise can take a wide variety of forms as well. You could take a walk, go for a ride on your bicycle, or go swimming. Regular physical exercise will help support blood flow to your brain and can reduce certain risk factors for dementia. Whatever physical activity it may be, it is optimal to be physically active for at least thirty minutes a day, five times a week. 

As the elderly population rapidly expands, we can expect rates of dementia to likely increase significantly over the next few years. While you may already incorporate both mental and physical exercise in your everyday lives, it is important to remember to continue doing so regularly in the future as well. As previously discussed, both forms of exercise have their benefits; if you could find a fun hobby that involves both mental and physical exercise, you may be able to reduce your risks for developing dementia while keeping your brain active, healthy, and happy.