What Is Brain Health?

Brain health refers to how well a person’s brain functions across several areas. Aspects of brain health include:

• Cognitive health — how well you think, learn and remember
• Motor function — how well you make and control movements, including balance
• Emotional function — how well you interpret and respond to emotions (both pleasant and unpleasant)
• Tactile function — how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch — including pressure, pain, and temperature

Brain health can be affected by age-related changes in the brain, injuries such as stroke or traumatic brain injury, mood disorders such as depression, substance use disorder or addiction, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. While some factors affecting brain health cannot be changed, there are many lifestyle changes that can make a difference.

Creating new habits is what a New Year’s resolution is all about, but creating these habits takes time. Below are some effective ways to develop new habits in a healthy way:

• Understand that forming a new habit can take up to a few months, so keep at your new goals with a positive attitude.
• Start small: Choose something that is easily added to your daily routine. For example, if your goal is to drink more water, try creating a habit by taking a sip of water every time you get up from a seated position.
• Do it every day: Habits can take a few months to fully form, so make sure you work at them every day.
• Remember to reward yourself! Rewards are an essential part of building habits. Rewards can be as simple as buying yourself something fun or indulging in your favorite holiday treat.