Fit Links: Picking a Gym and Beating Brain Drain
Pick a gym that's convenient and clean. (Photo by Jay Sullivan)
This week’s fit links from around the web:
- Follow these helpful tips if you’re checking out new gyms for 2012. — Fit Sugar
- Don’t blacklist beans, eggs and cheese. Cut calories but keep the protein to lose weight and maintain muscle! — L.A. Times
- Grab the crosswords! A new study says that declines in memory and brain functioning can begin as early as age 45.— HealthDay
- Watching your blood pressure or trying to be more sodium-savvy in the new year? Try one of these 10 low-salt restaurant meals during your next outing. — SparkPeople
- How to make your social life as healthy as your strong, fit body. — Ladies’ Lounge
Categories: Fit Links, Fitness, Healthy Eating | Tags: Brain, Fit Links, gym, protein, sodium
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Simple Secrets to Keep Your Brain Young
Social activities—a great way to use your head. (Photo by Laura Doss)
How does your state’s “brain age” stack up? America’s Brain Health Index for 2011 was recently released, and many coastal states ranked highly on the scoring system which considered factors including physical, social, dietary and mental health and their impact on the mind. The top five:
- Maryland
- Washington, D.C.
- Washington
- Colorado
- Vermont
What can Americans do to improve their brain health?
Americans are getting heavier and more people are becoming Type 2 diabetics, which impedes longevity and mental health. But even those who are fit often take care of their bodies better than their brains. They don’t realize how simple choices affect brain health. There are simple tips on beautiful-minds.com that anyone can work into their lifestyle.
What do you do to keep your mind in peak condition?
I eat a lot of salmon and don’t smoke. I do have a lot of stress in my life, but try to manage that through physical activity and talking over stressful situations with friends and family.
I also like to multitask with activities that are good for my brain, like standing on one foot while flossing since balance is important and flossing helps with inflammation. Or I play ping pong with a friend to be social and active at the same time.
What can young people do now to keep their brains “fresh” throughout their long lives?
Channel your younger self by playing around! Join a sports league, do a crossword or play ping pong.
More from FITNESS: Strength Train Your Brain
Categories: Health, The Fit Stop | Tags: Aging, Brain, health news
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