Cognitive fitness as important as physical fitness, say health experts

Team L&M

To raise awareness about enhancing brain health for better functioning, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), under its Illness to Wellness campaign, conducted a webinar on Brain Health Across the Life Span.

Everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity, needs to maintain good brain health and resilience. Our general health depends heavily on the condition of our brains. It is what enables us to communicate, make choices, solve problems, and lead fulfilling lives. Therefore, it is crucial to figure out how to maintain brain health throughout the lifespan.

Use it or lose it — your brain, according to Dr Sumit Singh, Chief of Neurology and Co-Chief Stroke Artemis Hospitals Gurugram. He further said, “Our brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it. Mental decline is typical, and it’s one of the most feared consequences of aging. But cognitive impairment is not inevitable.”

Shedding light on why sleep is crucial for maintaining memory and activeness of the brain, he said, “Keeping your brain healthy is essential for living a long and full life. There is no limit to knowledge and improving brain function.”

Pregnancy is crucial for a child’s brain development, said Dr Navdeep Kumar, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Indogulf Hospital, Noida. The first trimester is crucial, and the newborn should be well cared for.

He discussed the physical activities (yoga, dance, the gym, walks, exercise), social wellbeing, a nutritious diet, mental health, and enough sleep as the foundations of brain health. Blood pressure and blood sugar levels are risk factors that affect brain health; controlling these variables is equally crucial for maintaining good brain function.

Dr Rajinder K Dhamija, Director, Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi focused on cognitive fitness which is equally important as physical fitness. Maintaining social connections while learning new behaviours or languages is absolutely vital.

He went on to explain the significance of retaining cognitive reserve. Play games like Sudoku and crossword puzzles to increase your cognitive interest.  Yoga is very important to maintain brain health. During Covid-19 ,30 minutes pranayama helped people helped people to calm their nerves down who were exposed to covid 19, he said.

To achieve brain health sleep routine, learning, connections (social isolation is very harmful) , dietary changes and lifestyle habits are a few of the major factors that can transform your brain activities.

Dr Rajesh Kesari, the founder and director of Total Care Control in Delhi-NCR and a member of the RSSDI EC advised participants to cut back on unhealthy food and eat a balanced diet, consume colourful fruits in addition to green leafy vegetables and salad, and get regular exercise. He also stated that in this day and age, walking is the new medicine.