Protect Your Brain continued
Find ways to relieve your stress . These might include exercising , listening to music or journaling .
Section 01 — Caring for Your Brain at Any Age
Protect Your Brain continued
06
Reduce stress
Some level of stress is a normal human response to challenging and even positive life events . Stress can even be a good thing when it alerts us to situations we need to pay attention to or boundaries we need to set , for example . Other “ good ” stress includes exercise , which challenges our bodies in positive ways . But when prolonged , or severe enough to interrupt your daily life , stress can impact physical and brain health — leading to mood or thinking changes , headaches , sleep trouble and other difficulties .
Everyone ’ s stressors are different . Identify what triggers your stress and best ways to avoid or minimize those triggers . Also find ways to relieve your stress . These might include exercising , listening to music or journaling . For some , it ’ s practicing meditation or mindfulness , praying , or spending time in nature . For many , seeing a mental health counselor also is useful . If you have the resources , consider a wellness program that can help you learn and integrate healthy habits toward reducing stress .
Find ways to relieve your stress . These might include exercising , listening to music or journaling .
07
Monitor mood
Mood changes , such as depression and anxiety , are linked to memory and thinking changes . They may impact the brain directly or indirectly , by affecting outlook and activities . A person who feels down , for example , may not exercise as much or eat as healthfully .
Depression and anxiety are medical conditions . They are treatable with medication , talk therapy ( counseling ), exercise and other strategies .
08
Limit substance use
The United States Dietary Guidelines recommends moderate to no alcohol use . Moderate is defined as two drinks per day or less for men and one or less per day for women . Emerging evidence suggests that regular use of any amount or type of alcohol could contribute to disease .
While some alcohol may be okay , it ’ s best to avoid tobacco . Cigarette smoking is linked to Alzheimer ’ s , stroke , and other brain and heart diseases . If you smoke , ask your doctor about options to help you quit .
09
Manage medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can affect the brain . These include diabetes , high blood pressure and high cholesterol , as well as others . Medication also can have an effect . Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs , such as sleep aids and anti-itch pills , can cause confusion or cloud thinking .
Talk with your doctor about how to best care for medical conditions and reduce potential brain impacts . Regularly review your medications together and always ask before starting over-the-counter medications or supplements .
10
Be aware of surroundings
Certain aspects of where we live and work , or environmental factors , can influence brain health . Pesticides , chemical solvents and air pollution , for example , are linked to PD and other brain diseases . Head injury or concussion also can increase Parkinson ’ s risk .
It may not be possible to avoid all these factors , but you can limit them . To protect your head , use a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle , wear your seatbelt in the car , and avoid contact sports .
14 The Michael J . Fox Foundation for Parkinson ’ s Research