Researchers have found that healthy habits can improve your health as you age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these habits can help keep your brain healthy and possibly reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Over the next few weeks with the help of the Alzheimer’s Association and our friends at the Center for Brain Health, we will explore ways to love our brains.
Get your heart pumping
Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that raises your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 2.5 hours of moderate cardiovascular activity or 75 minutes of vigorous cardio exercise per week. Running, biking, dancing, swimming, and playing sports are all good cardio workouts.
Here at Fowler, you have access to our walking paths. Now that our weather is getting cooler, grab a teammate on your break and speed walk outside. Speed walking can be just as effective for your brain health as running.
NOTE: To determine the effectiveness and safety of any cardio exercise you should monitor your heart rate. If you do not have a monitor, you can determine your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from the number 220. During a cardio workout, your beats-per-minute should clock in at 50-80% of your maximum heart rate.
It’s never too late or too early to adopt a healthy lifestyle – let’s get walking!