A habit is a regular practice that most of us are dependent on. Often, we don’t realize the cause or its effects. Some everyday, seemingly harmless habits can be so bad that they can cause lasting brain damage.
The human brain is the most important organ of our body, and we all fail to think that the brain also requires exercise or training and nutrition for it to function well. Thus, forming good habits and avoiding the following bad habits will prevent brain damage and keep it healthy.
What Are The Causes Of Brain Damage?
Brain damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
1. Skipping Breakfast
Our brain also requires the right nutrients at the right times to work at its best. Because of our hectic lifestyles, most of us avoid or skip breakfast to save time in the morning.
This causes the brain to receive inadequate amounts of nutrients and sugar. Pure glucose is required for brain function. The degeneration of brain cells is one of the long-term negative effects of poor nutrition on the brain.
2. Over-eating
“Too much of anything is bad” is a common adage. The same holds true for our brains. If the brain is not functioning properly, we tend to overeat, and vice versa; overeating causes brain damage.
Overeating causes cholesterol plaques to build up and the blood vessels in the brain to thicken, reducing blood flow to the brain’s neurons. This may seriously harm the brain’s capacity to function normally.
It has been discovered that obesity causes Alzheimer’s disease. Overeating results in obesity, which harms our sense of self and self-worth and can result in depression and other psychological issues.
3. Lack Of Sleep
Lack of sleep makes it harder for the brain to function normally. Lack of sleep is likely the cause of any temporary memory loss you may have experienced, such as getting lost on the way home or forgetting your keys somewhere and being unable to remember where. Lack of sleep causes cognitive problems.
Certain brain cells die when people don’t get enough sleep, which makes it more difficult to remember things later. Poor sleep or sleep disturbances can also lead to psychological problems. As a result, be sure to get your recommended 7 hours of beauty sleep each day.
4. Eating Sugary Foods
We all consume sugar, knowingly or occasionally unknowingly, in most of our foods and beverages. It is well known that a high intake of refined sugars impairs the body’s and brain’s capacity to absorb proteins and nutrients.
Malnutrition and brain disorders like poor memory, learning disorders, hyperactivity, and depression are caused by poor nutrition. Therefore, reconsider the next time you add a large Coke to your happy meal because it contains almost 20 spoonfuls of sugar!
5. Smoking
Smoking is probably one of our worst vices because it damages our lungs and hearts and causes the brain’s multiple cells to shrink, increasing the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and even death.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that can be brought on by neuro-inflammation, which is indirectly brought on by excessive smoking (MS).
6. Covering The Head While Sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered leads to an increase in carbon dioxide concentration, further reducing the oxygen concentration in the blood.
If the oxygen supply is poor, the brain’s functioning capacity reduces. You may feel suffocated and sleep deprived, leading to fatigue and drowsiness
7. Working When Sick
When we are overworked, we frequently get sick. The effectiveness of the brain will undoubtedly suffer significantly if we continue to work while ill as well. This will only increase the pressure.
The brain and body exert extra effort to fight the infection when we are ill. Working while sick will only make things more difficult. So take a break, unwind, and recover.
8. Lack Of Socializing
Talking and interacting with others promote brain growth. The benefits of intellectual conversation include increased brain strength and productivity. You can improve your creativity by making new friends and interacting with new people.
It’s also a fantastic way to express yourself freely to interact or socialize. You might feel down and depressed with little socializing or poor communication.
9. No Exercise
As they say, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Your flexibility and mobility improve when you exercise. Without enough exercise, stability, motor skills decline, mobility, and brain power.
According to studies, exercise releases endorphins, which are happy hormones that help keep us young. Exercise strengthens not only the brain but also the heart and lungs. Do you need an excuse to work out more?
10. Consuming Alcohol
The number of brain cells that die increases as the alcohol percentage increases. When consumed in larger quantities and for longer periods of time, alcohol causes chemical imbalances.
Chronic alcohol use results in a reduction in brain volume. Alcohol abuse is defined as consuming more than 2 units per day for men and 1 unit per day for women.
11. Exposure To Contaminated Chemicals/Pollution
Oxygen is absolutely necessary for our brain. When exposed to more dangerous chemicals or contaminated air, less oxygen reaches the brain. Brain cell death may result from insufficient oxygen levels in the body.
Studies on mice that had their brains physically harmed by breathing polluted air over time. It’s time to go outside and enjoy some fresh air each day.
12. Premature Stress
Everybody experiences stress in their lives. Stress from work or family obligations is a natural part of life. Stress from beating the competition or finishing work on time is acceptable.
But when stress exceeds your capacity to handle it, it interferes with the brain’s normal function and leaves you depressed, angry, irritable, and sleepless.
If you experience one or more of these feelings too frequently, it’s time to seek counselling or get away from the stress-inducing situations.
13. Lack Of Stimulating Thoughts
According to research, the brains of those who do not think enough or frequently enough are shrinking. So thinking is crucial for keeping the brain healthy and growing.
The brain will be strengthened and trained for better functioning through thinking, reading, and writing, preventing brain damage.