7 ways to boost your brain power

We’re fortunate in Epping to have lots of initiatives to support those living with Alzheimer’s as well as help for friends and family. With an estimated 10% of all people over the age of 65 having Alzheimer’s disease (up to 50% over 80) it’s great to know that local organisations are getting on board with dementia friendly events, services and help.

But what if you’re approaching your 60s and worried for your health? Perhaps you’ve recently lost a family member or one has been diagnosed. What if you’ve noticed a change in your processing abilities or memory. Is it age, stress or early onset dementia? It’s scary and whilst there are new drugs on the horizon to help, there’s a lot you can do to help your brain function that doesn’t require an appointment with your doctor or spending lots of money.

1. Get active. As well as cardio-vascular, bone health and disease prevention benefits of regular exercise, studies have linked higher activity levels in healthy people with less cognitive decline. Some research has suggested that regular exercise could reduce the toxic effect of proteins that build up in the brain as dementia develops. We already know that active individuals tend to have less brain shrinkage as they age (linked to cognitive decline) and perform better in memory tests.

2. Consider training with weights to stop your brain from shrinking. As well as cardio-vascular exercise, adding resistance training to your lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for your health as you get older. Muscles and brains typically get smaller over the age of 40 unless we use them. And muscle loss has been linked with brain shrinkage. You can slow this down by getting started with weights. This doesn’t mean hours in the gym, it could be just 10 minutes a day. Other benefits include less joint pain, more stamina and more energy.

3. Eat a Mediterranean diet. Forget fads and fasting. Whilst it’s important to maintain a healthy weight as we age, studies have linked Mediterranean diets with reduced memory loss and slower rates of decline in thinking. Think legumes, oily fish, low sugar and low saturated fats.

4. Do something social. Just like our neurological pathways, our brains need connection. Weekly exercise classes aren’t just about exercise, they’re about being social. With loneliness on the rise, how about finding new friends by connecting over golf or a ramble. It doesn’t have to be exercise, there are so many great clubs in the Epping area.

5. Learn something new. Our brains love new things. Learning a new skill or a new sport creates new neural pathways in our brain and keeps the cogs whirring.

6. Transform your existing healthy habits into brain training. Adding challenges to your daily habits can improve your brain function. If you love running or walking, try a new path or go cross country so you have to dodge puddles or tree roots. Doing simple maths puzzles in your head whilst on your commute can get your brain working harder and boost your mental capacity.

7. Sleep. Getting enough rest and allowing your brain to recharge is vital for healthy cognitive function. If you’re struggling with sleep try getting active in the morning, limit caffeine after midday, or try a mindful exercise class like Pilates, yoga or relaxation, this can help you get restful zzzs at night. For more information on getting started with exercise, Pilates or resistance training as an older adult, contact Chris and Karen at Fit School. The husband and wife team run fitness and Pilates classes, events and offer personal training. They specialise in women’s health and training older adults. Chris also coaches children privately and through his Athletics Academy: www.fit-school.co.uk

New type of post office: Allnutts Road, Epping

A new type of Post Office branch has opened in the area at Allnutts, 33A Allnutts Road, Epping, CM16 7BE (from 30th May 2023). In order to strengthen the network and enhance its commercial sustainability, we have introduced a lighter, flexible branch format called Drop & Collect, which has been developed to take advantage of the opportunities a vibrant, and increasingly competitive, parcels market offers. Consumer shopping habits have been changing and the popularity of online shopping has transformed the parcels market at pace. Drop & Collect will help us address gaps in service coverage, ensuring that we have the best network for parcels across all parts of the UK. The new Drop & Collect at Allnutts, offers Post Office services from a handheld device, providing convenient access for customers to bill payments and prepaid parcel collections and returns. To maximise accessibility to these services that our customers are increasingly seeking, more complex services like personal and business banking will not be available at this branch. Details of the opening hours and the products and services available are provided below. A wider range of Post Office services are available from the nearby branches at Epping Post Office, 277 High Street, Epping, CM16 4DA and North Weald Post Office, 20 High Street, North Weald, Epping, CM16 6BU. The latest available branch information can be found on our website: www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder

Opening times & Post Office services available: Mon - Sat 8am to 8pm, Sun 8am to 6pm.

Mail: Parcel collect and return – prepaid only. Other: Bill payments, Mobile top-up service. For information about product availability call: 03457 223344.

From: Post Office