Why are vehicle checks important in the healthcare industry?
24 February 2026
Improving and maintaining your brain health is fundamental for your overall wellbeing and enjoyment.
With schools starting back up after the summer break, we wanted to give everyone an education on how to look after your brain.
When you think about the food groups that can boost brain health, you may have leafy greens and rich antioxidants in mind. However, the protein intake within your meals can also be important.
A 2022 Harvard study found that those who consume more protein may be at a lower risk of cognitive decline as they age. Protein also aids with providing amino acids for the brain’s neurotransmitters. These allow your brain to communicate with cells for repair as well as the release of chemicals, such as dopamine to keep you alert and happy.
On average, try to consume 0.75g of protein per kilogram of body weight for overall health.
Activity and rest should go hand in hand. A good night’s sleep may be vital for physical recovery, but it can also help to maintain and improve brain health and function.
Try to aim for between 4 and 6 sleep cycles each night to avoid feeling groggy or disorientated when you get up.
As an example, if you want to wake up at 05:30, you should aim to go to bed at 21:45. This allows for 15 minutes to fall asleep and then provides 7.5 hours of sleep, factoring in 5 sleep cycles.
Lack of sleep can affect your brain’s ability to process information, the ability to focus and pay attention, and even your overall mood.
For those who suffer with mental health problems, including Seasonal Affective Disorder, a focus on overall brain health is crucial.
Failure to do so can result in low mood in anyone, regardless of whether they have a mental health diagnosis or not. Yet, for those who are more vulnerable in terms of mental wellbeing, you may find that poor mental health can result in a decline in overall brain health.
To keep your brain happy, you need to make sure you address any underlying issues. This means monitoring your mental health for any changes that might indicate a need for assistance, and reaching out to medical practitioners or support groups if required.
At birth, the human body is approximately 75% water. This declines to around 55% in older adulthood.
We need water to survive, as well as to complete our daily tasks. Dehydration can result in:
Adults should aim to drink around 2 litres and children should aim to drink about 1.2 litres of water each day for optimum nutrition, and even more if pregnant, breastfeeding, alongside physical activity, and during hot weather.
While hydration is important for brain health, some drinks can have the opposite effect.
Consuming alcohol may make a person feel relaxed at the time, but the after-effects can result in low mood. In addition to this, your ability to make sound judgement calls will be compromised, resulting in people saying or doing things that they wouldn’t usually do with a clear head.
Alongside this, you may also engage in behaviours with a higher level of risk that can result in physical or mental injury.
Having the odd alcoholic beverage may not harm an adult, but excessive drinking over a long period can permanantly damage the brain cells.
Pregnant women and children should avoid alcohol due to the risks associated with brain development.
Instead, opt for alcohol-free drinks such as water, tea, coffee, juices, soda, or even mocktails.
Likewise, non-prescription drugs should also be avoided due to the negative effects these can have on brain health and general wellbeing.
The ability to regain peace, even in high-stress environments, can do wonders for brain health and mental wellbeing. The art of mindfulness helps to bring your mind back to the present, alleviating tension, anxiety, and negative thought patterns.
Some of the best ways to practice mindfulness can be to:
Physical activity is often associated with staying in shape and keeping your heart and other organs healthy. One organ that you may not have considered is the brain.
Research has found that regular exercise assists the brain with:
Keeping your mind active is ideal for good brain health. This can include learning new skills or information and doing puzzles such as Rubik’s cubes.
Interestingly, it has been identified that playing video games can help with both attention and memory. While younger generations may already be partial to console or PC gaming, it may be useful for older individuals who want to improve their mind, as well as hand-eye coordination. This can be a healthy and fun way to look after your brain health, as long as you moderate usage.
Ideally, you would receive all the nutrients you require from your food. However, there may instances where you lack the necessary vitamins and minerals required for brain health.
Omega-3 found in fish such as salmon or mackerel, as well as soybean oil, walnuts, chia seeds, and edamame, aid with brain development and function.
Vitamin B12 has been found to aid with preventing cognitive decline. This is often found in meat, fish, cheese, eggs, and milk.
Vitamin D can help with brain fog and concentration. The body is able to make vitamin D which, during the nicer weather, is often not an issue. However, during the winter months, you may find your body is lacking. Vitamin D can also be found in oily fish, red meat, liver, and egg yolks.
Monitoring what you eat to ensure you get the right nutrients is the best way to promote brain health. Should you require additional vitamins due to a change in season, food intolerences, or dietary requirement you may instead want to consider supplements. These can be purchased from a wide range of supermarkets and health stores, and could assist you with balancing your vitamins and minerals.
Getting lost in a good book can be a wonderful way to destress or simply escape your everyday life. Alongside getting to read an amazing story, your brain health can also be improved by:
Some people may say they find reading dull, but this could be because they have yet to find a genre that interests them. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer non-fiction, fantasy, romance, thriller, or a great murder mystery. The important aspect is that you spend at least 20 minutes each day reading to help your brain continue processing and retaining information as much as possible.
As part of the care services we provide, we take a vested interest in your whole wellbeing. While a lot of care services may involve physical tasks and support, we can also help you find ways to engage your mind and prioritise your brain health.
Whether you want to discuss books, do a jigsaw puzzle, or play a game of chess during your visits, this can be included.
For more information, or to discuss your needs, click below to contact us and book in a visit with a Care Co-ordinator.
Verity joined Absolute in February, 2025, as our HR & Recruitment Administrator.
With a background in HR, customer service, and marketing, she has taken the lead on crafting digital content.
Outside of work, Verity enjoys woodland walks, cooking, and video games.
