Brain Damaging Habits We Need To Avoid Instantly

Smoking- cancer kills

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It's essential to be mindful of habits that can potentially harm your brain's health. For example, it's a well-known fact that smoking can harm your brain's health, as the harmful chemicals within cigarettes contribute to vascular diseases. Nicotine is highly addictive substance as well.

Excessive alcohol consumption- getting wasted isn't cool

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Chronic alcohol abuse can damage brain cells, leading to life-threatening diseases. This damage can worsen over time, and will eventually become irreversible. Alcohol abuse is one of the most common causes of death, and alcoholics require support and care with their journey to sobriety.

Substance abuse- a slippery slope to addiction

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Drugs can have a detrimental effect on the brain, especially over prolonged periods of time. Exposure to drugs at an early age, can cause irreversible damage to someone's brain, and actually restricts that person's development. Different drugs have different effects on the brain.

Poor diet- spending too much on Uber Eats?

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A diet that is high in processed foods and sugar, can be harmful to brain function. This is due to the artificial preservatives, flavorings, colorings and additives that are typically included within these foods. They provide short bursts of energy, without any proper nutrition.

Lack of exercise- not feeling motivated?

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Physical inactivity can lead to cognitive decline, as your vascular system is not circulating your blood efficiently. This decline in circulation, leads to your brain not having enough healthy blood supplied to it. Unhealthy blood flow is what impacts your overall cognitive function.

Chronic stress- take a deep breath in...and out

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Prolonged exposure to stress can damage brain cells, as your mind isn't given ample time to recover and recuperate. Stress can be produced from all aspects of life, and affects everyone differently. For example, some people only experience stress within work, whereas others experience stress within their home life.

Sleep deprivation- you look kinda tired

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Severe sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, such as: reaction times whilst driving, rational thinking and emotional stability. Inadequate sleep restricts your body from fully relaxing, which leads to overthinking, fatigue and mental exhaustion.

Skipping meals- food is important fuel

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Regularly skipping meals, can lead to nutrient deficiencies that affect your brain's health. Depriving your body and mind of key nutrients and vitamins, can be extremely detrimental to your overall health; opening to immune system up to all kinds of disease and illness.

Dehydration- feeling like a lizard with scaly skin?

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Not drinking enough water can impact brain, as your cognitive function requires suitable hydration in order to work efficiently. Lack of hydration can also lead to headaches, migraines and other ailments. It is recommended that you try to consume at least two litres of water per-day.

Lack of mental stimulation- your brainwaves need a boost

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A sedentary and unchallenged mind may lose cognitive abilities. If a mind is left unstimulated for a prolonged period of time, it is possible that memory-based skills can be lost, as well as basic speech and general mental abilities. This is a common problem for elderly people.

Poor sleep cycle

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As mentioned previously, sleep deprivation can severely impact your cognitive function. Having a poor sleep cycle in general can impact your mental capacity, as you're consistently restricting your body's chance to relax. Inconsistencies within your sleep schedule should be monitored closely.

Excessive use of electronics

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Excessive screen time may negatively affect your brain's health. This can relate to the general health of your cognitive function, as well as your mental health. It is important to set-up suitable restrictions on your screen time, especially during work and before heading to bed.

Ignoring mental health

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Neglecting mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can harm the brain. Every mental health condition varies in severity from person-to-person, and each person has their own way of controlling their symptoms e.g. medication, therapy and meditation.

Overeating

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Consuming excessive calories can contribute to obesity, which affects brain function. Obesity leads to a severe increase in physical inactivity, which leaves the brain and body unstimulated. Over time, this can lead to other physical and mental health conditions.

Ignoring medical conditions

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Untreated medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, can harm the brain. Without acquiring the right treatment for certain medical conditions, your body and mind can decrease in vitality. For example, untreated diabetes can lead to blindness and seizures.

Excessive caffeine consumption

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Too much caffeine can lead to increased anxiety, and problems regarding your sleep. Caffeine is a highly addictive substance, and should be consumed within healthy limits. Coffee should be restricted to two cups a day, however decaf coffee can be consumed in slightly higher quantities.

Lack of social interaction

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Isolation and loneliness can harm mental health, as we are social beings that thrive from socialization. Since the covid pandemic, there has been an increase in people suffering with their mental health, so it is important to monitor your emotions and mental well-being.

Overworking

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Chronic stress from overworking can lead to damage within your brain, as your body is constantly on high-alert. As mentioned previously, restricting your body from proper rest, can result in severe overthinking, emotional instability and increased anger/anxiety.

Head injuries

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Repeated head injuries or concussions, can lead to cognitive problems. Consistent trauma to the head can lead to irreparable damage, and life-threatening conditions e.g. falling into a coma, severe migraines, haemorrhaging, aneurysms and short/long-term memory loss.

Ignoring hearing loss

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Untreated hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, and any changes to your hearing abilities, should not be ignored. If you notice any changes to your hearing, especially if they don't improve within a short period, it is vital to seek medical help.

Excessive use of painkillers

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Opioid and other painkiller abuse can harm brain function, especially over prolonged periods of time. Painkillers can be some of the most addictive (controlled) substances, which makes it increasingly difficult to withdraw your use from them (weaning off of them can take years).

Poor dental hygiene

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Gum disease has been associated with cognitive decline. A prolonged lack of proper dental care, can lead to an array of problems e.g. gum disease, tooth decay, gingivitis, plaque build-up and mouth cancer. This can be a result of a decline in cognitive function e.g. depression, Alzheimers and dementia.

Exposure to environmental toxins

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Prolonged exposure to heavy metals, and other toxin, can damage the brain. This damage is caused by the high levels of toxic elements within these metals. Protective equipment should always be worn when handling, and/or being within close contact with these metals/toxins.

Skipping medical check-ups

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Skipping regular medical check-ups, can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Early detection of health issues, can prevent brain damage, as you're able to receive the essential treatment for any developing conditions e.g. cancer, blood clots and amnesia.

Not wearing a helmet

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Failing to protect your head during activities, such as biking and skating, can lead to brain injuries. It is important to wear the right protective gear, when taking part in these activities, as you can never be sure if an accident/injury may occur.

Reliability on energy drinks

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High caffeine and sugar content, commonly found in energy drinks, can negatively impact your brain's health. As mentioned previously, caffeine is a highly addictive substance, and can lead to high levels of dependence. It can also lead to increased anxiety.

Ignoring high blood pressure

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Ignoring high blood pressure, can be detrimental to your brain's health and function, as there are conditions that can harm the blood vessels within your brain e.g. hypertension. By ignoring the symptoms of these conditions, you are putting yourself at risk of seizures, migraines and blood clots.

Ignoring high cholesterol

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Ignoring high cholesterol is also detrimental to the health and function of your brain, as it can contribute to blocked arteries within your brain. Blocked arteries are damaging to all areas of your body, but they are particularly difficult to tackle within your brain.

Lack of proper hydration

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As mentioned previously, dehydration can be detrimental to your brain's function. A lack of proper hydration can impair cognitive ability, especially if you are only using sugary drinks, tea, coffee and juice to hydrate yourself. Water is the most efficient drink to consume, as it provides clean hydration.

Ignoring signs of neurodegenerative diseases

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Early intervention is crucial for tackling conditions, such as: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Ignoring the signs of neurodegenerative diseases, is one of the worst things you can do, especially when your cognitive health is at risk. Receiving the proper treatment for these diseases is essential.