How to keep your brain healthy
The Think Brain Health check in is a quiz brought to you by Alzheimer’s Research UK. It helps you learn more about your brain and the simple things you can do to protect it.
It takes around 10 minutes to complete and at the end you’ll receive personalised recommendations.
It focuses on 3 key areas:
- stay sharp
- keep connected
- love your heart
Stay sharp
keep learning: your brain enjoys a challenge. Activities such as reading, puzzles, hobbies or learning a new skill helps to strengthen brain connections
aim for 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can affect your memory and thinking in both the short and long term. Find out about things that can help if you're struggling to sleep
take time for your mental wellbeing. Find out about Stockport’s 5 Ways to Feel Good, activities proven to boost mood that you can build into your weekly routine. If you’re worried about your mental health, support is available in Stockport
Keep connected
feeling connected to others helps protect your brain as you age. Stockport has a wide range of social groups, neighbourhood activities, volunteering opportunities, and community hubs that help bring people together. You can find details on the Stockport Live Well Directory
get your ears and eyes checked regularly. Visit the NHS website to find an optician near you. You can also see if you’re entitled to free NHS tests. Many large pharmacies and opticians have hearing specialists (audiologists) who can do hearing tests for adults aged 18 and over. The test is often free, but you may have to pay for any treatment you might need (such as hearing aids). You can check your hearing in just 3 minutes with the RNID free online hearing test. This can tell you if you need a face-to-face hearing test
Love your heart: what’s good for your heart is good for your brain
- stop smoking as it damages blood vessels that supply the brain and reduces oxygen and nutrients. If you want to stop smoking, contact START to find out more about support in Stockport. You're 3 times more likely to quit with support from a specialist stop smoking service
- keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. If you're over the age of 40, you're advised to have your blood pressure checked at least every 5 years
- attend your NHS Health Check if you're aged 40 to 74
- check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- keep within the recommended limits for drinking alcohol and contact START for local support if you’re worried about how much you drink
- eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
- move more, as regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and helps brain cells stay healthy and connected