Several ways to reduce the risk of dementia – according to us

Girls, let's face it: dementia isn't just a scarecrow of old age. It's something that can affect any of us—and the good news is, we have plenty of options to reduce our risk. No dry sermons, here's my "Big Girl" take on preventing the brain fog of the future.

Thanks to better healthcare, we live longer than our grandmothers. But the more years we have, the more chances our brains will go on strike. That doesn't mean we're helpless - quite the opposite. Even small changes in habits can work wonders in the long run.

Regular exercise = better blood circulation = better brain. You don't have to run a marathon, just walk, dance in the kitchen or do yoga. The important thing is to do it often.

Mediterranean style – more vegetables, legumes, fish, less sausages and sugar. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.

The sooner you quit, the more you win. Smoke damages the blood vessels in the head and heart.

Wine may be nice, but liters of alcohol are a deadly cocktail for the brain.

Learn a foreign language, start painting, do crossword puzzles. Play PC games, board games, cards! The brain loves a challenge. The more synapses now, the more reserves for the future.

Coffee with a friend, choir singing, volunteering... social life stimulates the brain and protects against depression.

High blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes – all of these are not just about the heart, but also about the brain. Get them checked and discuss them with your doctor.

Obesity and diabetes increase the risk of dementia. Better a few pounds down than a few neurons gone.

Hearing or vision loss isolates you and puts you at risk of cognitive decline. Hearing aids and glasses are not a shame, but an investment in your brain.

The brain ages faster under stress. If you feel like it's too much, talk to a professional. Meditation or breathing exercises can also help.

Wearing a helmet when cycling or playing sports is not an embarrassment. Traumatic brain injury is one of the strongest risk factors.

If you can, avoid heavily polluted places, ventilate and invest in a filter - air is not only for the lungs, but also for the brain.

Even small changes count now. Anything that benefits the heart also benefits the brain.

For example, I do small rituals – exercise, notes, reading, coffee with people I love. Not because I'm afraid of dementia, but because it already feels good to me. And I believe that this is the best prevention – doing things that you enjoy and that make you feel good. And I'm writing a diary!

Dementia is not a fate we have to wait for. We have many things in our hands – exercise, food, relationships, education. And these are not boring duties, but opportunities to make life more enjoyable.

So girls, get up from your screen, stretch, drink some water, call a friend, and try reading something new in the evening. Your brain will thank you for it someday. 💜

What games can do to our brain: Health, memory and team spirit

CALS – https://www.alzheimer.cz/cals is a member of Alzheimer Europe and Alzheimer's Disease International.

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Dementia is not just one disease. It is a set of symptoms – impaired memory, thinking, orientation. The most common causes:

• Alzheimer's disease – the most common type of dementia, gradual memory loss.
• Vascular dementia – vascular damage, sudden deterioration after strokes.
• Parkinson's disease – primarily a movement disorder, but it can also progress to dementia.
• „"Senile dementia"“ – a popular name for dementia in old age.
• „"Sclerosis"“ – just a folk term for forgetfulness; medically it is something else (e.g. multiple sclerosis is a completely different disease).

💡 TIP: This topic may concern our parents and grandparents, but we shouldn't wait for symptoms.