The Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association of Wyoming says many of the same habits that are good for your body also improve your brain health.

Janet Lewis says that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. She says cardiovascular exercises, such as running bicycling and zumba dancing, or any other exercises that elevate your heart rate and increases the blood flow to your brain are helpful.

Lewis says when it comes to diet, a heart-healthy diet is also good for your brain. She cites the Mediterranean Diet or the Dash Diet as examples.

Likewise, other practices that help your heart can also help your brain. That includes such things as shedding extra weight and not smoking.

Lewis says another good idea is doing new things to challenge your brain. That could be anything from jigsaw puzzles to learning a new skill. Finally, Lewis says recent scientific research is showing the importance of getting enough sleep to your brain and general health, so sleep should be a priority for a health mind and body.

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