by Peter Prescott
Although some of you may have already been introduced to the following information, it is always nice to be reminded of these tried and true techniques. At least that’s what my mother told me.
Research suggests that even in healthy & educated adults, age-related cognitive decline begins when one reaches their 20s and 30s. With this in mind, we invited Janus Labs to speak about their exciting new program, BrainWorks, at our annual client education event. BrainWorks, developed by Dr. Heidi Hanna in partnership with Janus Labs, provides us with simple solutions for staying mentally sharp. We were taught numerous strategies that can be tailored into a unique brain training program that fits our individual needs. These personal inefficiencies were determined using a simple self-assessment that you may access at https://www.janus.com/advisor/advisor-resources/janus-labs/brainworks/brain-health-assessment.
Once you have determined your areas of concern, pick five strategies you can commit to practicing every week. Below, I have listed several ideas for you to utilize.
NUTRITION
- Eat light & often
- Eat balanced meals
- Adopt a diet filled with brain “power” foods, such as the Mediterranean Diet
SLEEP
- Go to sleep early
- Keep your sleep schedule consistent, even on the weekends
- Take 15-30 minutes of “wind down” time before going to bed. Turn off your electronics and relax quietly.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
- Join a club or sports team
- Call friends & family regularly
- Make date nights a priority
BALANCED STRESS
- Create a daily gratitude list
- Practice deep breathing
- Make mindful meditation a part of your daily life
ACTIVITY
- Stand up & stretch or take a lap around the office every 90 minutes
- Enjoy sunshine & fresh air by having your lunch outside
- Perform at least 60 minutes of general activity each day
BRAIN TRAINING
- Read a challenging book every month
- Utilize online brain training games
- Practice memory techniques for client names, birthdays, etc.
By creating and practicing your brain training program, one can prevent, or at least postpone, cognitive decline. Should you like additional information about BrainWorks, please visit https://www.janus.com/advisor/advisor-resources/janus-labs/brainworks or contact our office.
