At True Potential, we’re experts in financial advice and are dedicated to helping you plan for a comfortable retirement, we’re also passionate about ensuring you enjoy your retirement and lead a long and healthy life.
We are pleased to introduce this week’s Do More With Your Money show guest, renowned neurophysiologist Louisa Nicola. Louisa is the founder Neuro Athletics, a company that provides scientific strategies to help athletes and top investors achieve peak performance by taking a neurological approach to training.
In this blog, inspired by Louisa, we detail the association between brain health and peak performance. Particularly the importance of sleep, nutrition, and exercise in keeping our brains young, which can contribute to our long-term health.
Here are three suggestions that you can focus on daily to improve your decision-making and stimulate your mindset…it all comes down to a well-performing and healthy brain.
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Nutrition
We all know that eating a balanced diet gives you the energy you need to keep active throughout the day, the nutrients necessary to stay healthy, and dramatically impacts your mental and physical well-being. Eating meals full of vitamins and nutrients is a great way to boost your brain and improve your health without making a significant lifestyle change.
One small way to look after your brain is hydration; this is key to good brain health. Increasing your fluid intake can enhance your learning, thinking, focus and more.
The World Health Organisation found that 70% of daytime fatigue comes from Dehydration, and a mere 2% of dehydration can affect your cognitive performance and decision-making. By being hydrated, you’ll have more energy, and your brain will function better for the long-term too.
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Sleep
It’s no secret that lack of sleep can have an adverse effect on your life. The majority of cognitive thinking—memory, problem solving, judgement, and creativity – is supported by getting enough good-quality sleep, which also helps with attention and concentration.
We’ve all experienced a terrible night’s sleep, where we wake up feeling groggy and are still exhausted; looking forward to that moment, we can close our eyes again. In our fast-paced society, ensuring you get sufficient sleep every night is not always easy.
Getting more sleep isn’t as easy as just turning off the lights; you must prepare your body and mind to rest. You could avoid electronics at least an hour before bed and put yourself in a relaxed mood; reading the news isn’t the best way to wind down.
In the UK, over 1 in 5 individuals do not get enough sleep, making sleep essential for the body’s ability to recover and prepare for another day… and this is just for the short-term. Over the long-term, sleep deprivation can severely impact your quality of life.
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Exercise
Getting enough exercise and being active can be vital for your mental and physical health and play a massive part in how your brain functions and ages.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These are ‘happy hormones’ that make you feel an instant positive boost. Exercise feeds your brain, and those feel-good hormones are essential if you’re going to be more effective and efficient. When your brain is performing well, it helps with your concentration, motivation and allows you to make smarter decisions.
Studies have demonstrated that those who maintain an active lifestyle throughout their lives have a lower-than-average risk of cognitive deterioration as they age. Therefore, while regular exercise won’t prevent or cure natural cognitive decline that is associated with age, doing so regularly can help delay or lessen its onset.
It’s never too early or late
What’s clear is that various factors shape our brain health throughout life, and it’s never too early or late to take positive steps.
Mastering exercise, diet, and a good night’s sleep will keep your mind running at maximum capacity. By putting these three pillars of health into practice, you’ll be on your way to a healthier brain and a longer, and healthier, retirement.
By investing in your health, you’re investing in yourself, and it’s about making small, sustainable choices that we can build into our lives, and our brains will reward us in years to come.
If you need financial advice or would like to open an account yourself visit www.truepotential.co.uk or call our dedicated team on 0191 625 0350.
With investing, your capital is at risk. Investments can fluctuate in value and you may get back less than you invest. This blog is not a personal recommendation or financial advice.
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