Brain health can impact just about every aspect of our lives and wellbeing. So, let's look at some of the most helpful ways we can keep our brains healthy, active and well.

Hydration....

You know that fuzzy feeling you get in your brain from time to time that impacts your ability to concentrate and stay focused? That's generally due to your hydration levels. Research has shown there is a massive link between brain function and hydration.

In fact, you only need to be 1% dehydrated to experience a 5% decrease in cognitive function.

And, beyond that?

You could experience things like short-term memory loss, and trouble with basic calculations and thought processes. In addition, when you continually dehydrate your brain, it can shrink in mass, which is incredibly impactful in people's later years.

To stay hydrated and boost your brain function, make sure you:

• Drink a glass of water in the morning and in the evening
• Drink before you exercise
• Drink water with every meal
• Swap your fizzy drinks for sparkling water
• Reduce alcohol and caffinated drinks
• Eat foods with high water content ( watermelon, cucumbers, tomates etc )

Meditation....

Slowing down and taking the time to relax your brain can help to boost it's function in intensive situations. For example, meditation can help you take the time your brain needs to recover after a stressful day or simply increase function through regular meditation practices.

There are plenty of meditations to choose from. Meditation apps are hugely popular these days as they help fast-track your meditative journey, guiding you through the practice.

Check out:

• Calm
• Unplug
• Insight Timer
• Buddhify

If you find it hard to sit still and meditate, choose other options like:

• Going for a walk in the woods
• Gardening
• Doing yoga or streches
• Reading a calming book
• Taking a bath
• Listening to instrumental music

Simplify Your Schedule....

When your schedule is overloaded, your brain is overloaded, too.

As you pack more and more responsibilities and memories into your brain, it grows tired and stressed, and it, undoubtedly, will impact your brain's function. To help boost your brain, work to simplify your schedule. Declutter the less important responsibilities and prioritise the things that will help your mental, physical and emotional health.

Remember, your time is precious, so be sure you're taking the time you need when you need it.

Ways to simplify your schedule include:

• Making a priority list
• Eliminating the less important activities
• Removing hard deadlines
• Understanding what needs to get done and what you simply wish to get done
• Keep a calendar so you don't have to try to remember your to-do list constantly

Spend Time Outdoors....

Spending time outside can help to boost brain function, reduce stress and enhance your overall health. So often, we consider time in the great outdoors a luxury. However, by thinking of it as a necessity for our health, we can exponentially increase the amount of time we spend outside.

Sunlight and nature are incredibly helpful in boosting our mood. Guess what? When we're in a good mood, our brains function better, too!

Try to increase your time outside by:

• Walking or biking to work
• Taking a morning or evening stroll
• Reading a book or eating a meal outside each day
• Taking up a light sport or activity that is often outside
• Take regular breaks from work to walk in the garden or get a breath of fresh air

Let's sum up

Your brain needs to be treated and cared for like we care for our physical health. There are plenty of natural ways to boost your brain function when you dedicate yourself to your brain's health.