How to increase your brain health for a longer, better quality of life
We all know that having a healthy brain will impact our overall well-being, and that increasing cognitive know-how gives us improved quality of life in those remaining years. Good mental health can be a major contributing factor in adding years, or even decades to your lifespan.
The National Institutes of Health points out that people with serious mental illness have a reduced life expectancy, which is partly attributable to increased cardiovascular disease. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), untreated mental illness and addiction can cut as many as 10 to 20 years from a person’s life, and the World Health Organization has said that those with serious mental health illnesses can experience as much as a 25-year decrease in life expectancy.
Mental health issues are on the rise with seniors, especially as that segment of the population grows. People 65 and older make up about 20 per cent of Canadians, and as many as one in three older adults living on their own say that they have a need for mental health care. Dementia in seniors is on the rise in Canada (CAMH), and the numbers are staggering. This is why it’s so important to seek out help if you are experiencing feelings of loneliness, isolation or sadness. Staying ahead of your mental health should be a top priority and is just as imperative as keeping up with your physical well-being.
Maintaining good brain health is crucial for longevity, experts say. A healthy brain not only supports cognitive function and mental well-being, it’s also critical for your physical health. The brain helps with a slew of life-saving systems, including regulating various bodily functions in the immune, cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Because it’s the “grand central station” of your body, you need to ensure that you take good care of it. That means exercising your brain, staying physically active, socializing and doing things that make you happy. A balanced diet is also key to keeping your brain healthy.
Everyone wants to live longer and, while longevity is important, the focus should also be on health span, or the number of years during which you’re in good health. It’s not just about the quantity of years, but the quality of those years. This is directly influenced by your brain health.
You obviously need daily physical exercise – we all know by now that this is tremendously important to your overall well-being. However, research has proven that brain health is likely just as crucial to living a longer, happier life. So, nurture your brain. Seek out help if you’re experiencing challenges with your mental state. Feed your body and brain good food. Adding a short brain wellness component to your regular routine can mean a longer, higher quality of life.
Mental health resources for seniors in Canada
CanAge
canage.ca
CanAge is Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization, working to improve the lives of older adults through advocacy, policy and community engagement. CanAge has a free membership program open to anyone, including retirees, young caregivers and anyone in between.
Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health
ccsmh.ca
The CCSMH is committed to improving the quality of care and support for older adults throughout Canada by working to bridge gaps in knowledge and practice, ensuring that mental health receives the attention it deserves within the realm of aging. Their focus areas include anxiety, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), delirium, depression, mental health in long-term care, social isolation and loneliness, suicide risk and prevention of suicide, substance use and addiction, and wellness in aging.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)
mentalhealthcommission.ca
The MHCC works to improve the lives of people who experience mental health problems and illnesses (as well as their families and caregivers). They offer accessible training programs that support mental health in communities and workplaces, and lead research and program initiatives that emphasize people-centred values such as lived and living experience.
The Canadian Mental Health Association
cmha.ca
The CMHA is a national, voluntary organization dedicated to promoting mental health and supporting individuals experiencing mental illness and addiction through advocacy, programs and resources. CMHA has a presence in more than 330 communities across Canada and serves more than 1.3 million Canadians through the combined efforts of staff and volunteers. Founded in 1918, CMHA is one of Canada’s oldest and most established community mental health organizations.