Dementia is a feared state of losing your mind, but we may have ways to decrease the possibility of it through decreasing stress and inflammation.

Dementia and other health issues, including stress, have been linked. Prolonged stress can have an adverse effect on the immune system, raising the possibility of cognitive impairment.

Two things to consider are our external environment and our internal environment, both of which we do have control over. Forging a plan to not only adjust both but to control both may be key to dementia and disease control.

Stress is intimately related to mental health issues including depression and anxiety, which are also dementia risk factors. Additionally, traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can result from incidents like falls, sports injuries, or vehicle accidents, can cause dementia-related symptoms like memory loss, poor speech, depression, and Parkinsonism.

Stress management can enhance cognitive ability and general wellness. Stress management can enhance cognitive function, decision-making, and general quality of life in dementia patients. There are many actions people can take to manage their stress. It is possible to lower stress levels and enhance cognitive performance by engaging in personal self-care activities, including getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and managing stress using breathing exercises like meditation.

Remember, exercise feeds our brain with not just nutrients but also the blood it needs to cleanse it and keep it running well. Think of exercise as you would the oil in your car. Don’t change it, and what’s the result? Here, you wouldn’t be stuck on the highway but possibly in a nursing home. Want that?

And also remember that when we think about dementia, we’re talking about it right now, not only in our senior years. Research on strength training has shown that starting early to build muscle will result in later-in-life benefits. So, don’t wait until then to start stress control. Do it now as you would a retirement account.

While controlling the underlying source of stress in dementia patients might be challenging, it is crucial for symptom management. Managing dementia-related behaviors, including wandering, rummaging, rage, and violence, can also benefit from creating a peaceful and relaxing environment.

We know that stress can influence the onset of dementia, and reducing stress can enhance cognitive performance and our general quality of life. For managing stress levels and dementia-related symptoms, it’s crucial to practice self-care, exercise, and cultivate a quiet environment. That’s three things, and, surely, that’s possible for you.

It has been demonstrated that stress makes the body more prone to inflammation, which has been linked to dementia development. When we are under stress, our bodies release stress chemicals like cortisol, which can boost inflammation and the immune system. When stress persists, the immune system is constantly stimulated, which can cause chronic inflammation and harm to the brain. So, don’t kick your brain around by helping your body pump out cortisol.

Many chronic disorders, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease, have been related to chronic inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to memory loss and cognitive decline because it can harm brain cells and disrupt communication between them. Stress is the sand in the gears, so to speak.

In an effort to prevent dementia, it is crucial to managing stress and lower inflammation. Why inflammation? Read the above. Inflammation can alter the structure and operation of the brain, resulting in a reduction in the connection between various brain regions. And it has been associated with disease-causing processes, even cancer, and may contribute to the potential for dementia.

We know the various things to do to decrease stress. Exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and stress-relieving exercises like yoga or tai chi are known methods for lowering stress and inflammation. And we know that inflammation can also be decreased by eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Have you looked at your diet lately? Is it high in highly processed foods and lacking in fruits and vegetables?

Don’t neglect to obtain enough sleep because sleep is when our brains clean out potentially damaging “metabolic garbage” and free up space for new memories. And we need more than sleep because having supportive social networks helps lessen the damaging consequences of stress and brain inflammation. By implementing these techniques into our everyday routines, we may be able to lower our risk of dementia and enhance the general health of our brains.

There’s no guarantee how much you can ward off dementia through the use of these lifestyle methods, but aren’t they worth a try when your very being is at stake?