(Newswire.net — October 19, 2020) –There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but an increasingly important one is the
impact on a person’s mental health. A major part of that comes from healthy eating and staying in shape with exercise. Alexander Testa studied Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Throughout his studies and in daily life, he has seen the way a healthy mindset positively impacts people’s lives.
Connection Between the Body and the Brain
While most people make it a point to target different muscles, the brain is one of the more important parts of the body that should get attention in many ways. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States explains that cognitive training helps improve a person’s mental capacity.
The main benefit that Alexander Testa has seen comes from the flow of oxygen that the brain receives through physical activity. Studies have shown that the endorphins the brain receives are crucial to being more engaged, but on top of that, there are other ways to ensure that the brain is able to maintain healthy function. Meditating has become popular because of the way it helps relax and avoid anxiety when solving problems. It also reminds people that once in a while the brain needs rest in order to combat stress, which can lead to depression.
Healthy Eating
As important as exercise and physical activity is towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there are other ways for improving a person’s mental health. In order to maximize brain function, eating the right food has proven to be a critical component. Havard Health explains why green vegetables and plant-based foods, which are full of vitamin K and lutein, help lessen cognitive decline. Eating fish also provides the brain with omega-3, which has been linked to lowering beta-amyloid which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Those who do not like fish can also get their source of omega-3 by eating walnuts, avocado, or flaxseeds. Alexander Testa is no stranger to the benefits that a cup of coffee can bring and while caffeine provides the temporary boost of energy needed, it also has long term benefits. Harvard Health adds that coffee, tea, or caffeine tablets can improve mental function and improve memory.
Alexander Testa on other ways to improve mental function
While exercise and healthy eating are important for the brain, there are other methods that don’t require a lot of stress on the body. The brain can be challenged through creative means that can also be fun to do alone or with friends like board games, puzzles, trivia, or even arcade games because of the different parts of the brain that get engaged.
Through his studies at Carleton University, Alexander Testa has also seen the benefits of reading, as it forces the brain to stimulate images and wonder what a person’s voice would sound like. Finding that balance between positive physical and mental activity continues to be crucial to ensuring a person’s mental health.