“Our greatest human adventure is the evolution of consciousness. We are in this life to enlarge the soul, liberate the spirit, and light up the brain,” said author Tom Robbins. 

What weighs three pounds, can control movement, manipulate thoughts and emotions, and orchestrate dreams and memories?  Yes, it’s your brain, that amazingly complex, yet vulnerable, piece of anatomy that we rely on for virtually everything, but don’t really think about all that much.  And yet our brains, like the rest of our bodies, require care to function properly.  Healthy diet, regular exercise, managing stress – these things are all critical components of maintaining a clear and well-functioning brain. 

There are some factors that influence brain health that we can’t control.  For example, normal impacts of aging, or the genetic risks we’ve inherited from our families.  But there are many more factors that we do have at least some control over.  We all know that exercise can help if we want to lose weight or control our diabetes.  Did you know that it also increases blood flow to the brain?  Or that controlling your blood pressure can reduce your risk of developing dementia? Or that encouraging kids to stay in school and continue learning can reduce their risk of cognitive decline when they are older? 

In the coming year, the Community and Home Health Services department will be focusing on different aspects of brain health. Some may seem obvious, like preventing head injury with helmets and seatbelts. Others might not be so apparent, like learning a new skill or doing creative activities. Even just getting together with friends and socializing provides your brain with important stimulation that it can’t get from screen time.   

You’re never too young or too old to learn a new, healthy habit for your brain.  And isn’t it worth it?  Because, as Oscar Wilder once said, “The great events of the world take place in the brain.”  

For more information about how your brain works, scan this QR code or go to Brain Basics: Know Your Brain | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.