The only organ in our body that thinks is often the one we think the least about. Our brain is an extremely complex, delicate and the single most important organ in our body, controlling everything we do, from breathing, eating, sleeping, walking, etc. It regulates homeostatic functions like blood pressure, body temperature, fluid balance, heartbeats, and hormonal balance. It’s the central processor for all our bodily functions, the part that interprets what we see and hear, smell and taste.

Everything we do influence our body in a certain way and certain activities prevent normal brain functioning and even damage its structure. But don’t worry, there’s still time to take care of your brain’s health. Here are few common bad habits that actually damage our brain, and should be avoided.

1. High Sugar consumption

Consuming too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients that can lead to malnutrition. A malnourished body hinders the development of the brain. Also, high levels of sugar reduce our brain’s ability to produce an important chemical called Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) – which helps us form new memories, learn and control our ability to know when to stop eating. Without BDNF we are also more susceptible to depression and dementia, so minimize the amounts of sugary foods and drinks you consume.

2. Not eating breakfast

Many people choose to skip breakfast either in order to get to work faster, or sleep in a bit and in the process they damage their brain. The problem is that if we spend too much time fasting between meals, we push our bodies into stress. As a result, the blood sugar levels plummet, leading to insufficient nutrient supply to our brains, and causing brain degeneration.

3. Overeating

Whether you’re feeling very hungry or you’re simply enjoying your dish too much, stuffing your mouth when you’re full is a bad idea. Overeating causes an accumulation of residual substances in the form of fats and brain arteries to harden – leading to decreased mental capabilities.

4. Sleep deprivation

Sleep is our best battery charger. While you sleep, your whole body relaxes and repair. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells, which can lead to impaired memory. It can even keep you tired and in a bad mood all day. So it is important to have a good 8-hour slumber at night in order for your brain to rest, for metabolic processes to properly take place with the resulting energy produced, as well as for cellular renovation.

5. Smoking

We all know that cigarettes affect our heart and lungs, but did you know that the addictive nicotine in the cigarettes can cause your brain to shrink? Not only that, but prolonged brain shrinkage can also lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

Smoking is one of the worst habits that can damage your body as well as your brain very severely. So, quit or reduce the number of cigarettes to save your brain.

6. Working your brain during illness

Making your brain work more than it can, and making it work when its weak may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain. When you are sick, your body and mind both need rest, so taxing them by working when you are sick will reduce the efficiency of your brain and can even lead to long-term brain damage. So, give your brain a rest while you are ill.

7. Constant exposure to contaminated environments

This may not be a habit per-se, but breathing polluted air leads to lower amounts of oxygen reaching your brain, and without oxygen – the brain cannot function. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen, but different toxic substances could interfere with the exchange of gasses, the transportation, and processing of oxygen to the cells, leading to reduced brain efficiency.

8. Not Engaging In Stimulating Thoughts

Your brain is like a muscle, and if you don’t exercise it – it will shrink. The deeper the thoughts, the better the exercise your brain gets, and the healthier it will be in the long-term. But, these days we outsource much of this activity to machines – we use Google to answer our questions instead of thinking for ourselves.

So, try to stimulate your brain – Read a book, watch a documentary, have an intellectual conversation, or play some brain teasers, just keep that thinker working.

9. Sleeping With Your Head Covered

You might find it comforting and warm, but sleeping with your head covered leads to increased intake of carbon dioxide and decreased intake of oxygen. As mentioned before, oxygen is vital for brain function, and not getting enough can damage your brain cells. Hence, tuck in your blankets so that they don’t cover your face while you sleep.

Final Advice:

Take care of your brain by adopting a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat appropriately, incorporating healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
• Have enough sleep.
• Stay hydrated.
• Reduce stress.
• Fill yourself with positive thoughts.

Your brain really is the most precious friend you have – treat it wisely as an unhappy brain means an unhappy you.