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Lack of sleep -

Without adequate sleep, the brain struggles to function properly. In fact, studies indicate that lack of sleep leads to neurological damage in the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory.

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Lack of sleep -

If you're having trouble sleeping, avoid screens an hour before bedtime, and try not to reach for your phone if your sleep is interrupted.

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Skipping breakfast -

Due to our fast-paced lifestyles, most of us avoid or end up skipping breakfast to save some time in the morning. 

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Skipping breakfast -

However, the brain needs appropriate nutrients at the appropriate time to function at its best. Skipping breakfast leads to a low sugar supply and poor nutrient supply to the brain, which can lead to long-term health problems.

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Blasting your headphones -

Listening to music is a great way to relax and unwind. But if you blast your headphones, you could be damaging your hearing. What's more, people with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

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Blasting your headphones -

Some researchers believe that this is because the brain works so hard on hearing that it's unable to store memories of what's being heard. Therefore, if you want to keep your brain healthy, make sure you keep the volume at a safe level. 

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Overeating -

Over time, overeating may harm brain function as well. Several studies tie continual overeating to mental decline in older adults, compared with those who don't overeat.

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Overeating -

That said, more studies are needed to identify the extent and mechanisms of mental decline related to overeating.

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Not moving your body enough -

Long-term, regular exercise can help reduce cognitive impairment and dementia risk.

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Not moving your body enough -

Beyond working out, making physical activity, such as gardening or walking, a part of your lifestyle is also important. Benefits include decreasing stress and increasing blood flow to the brain.

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Not socializing enough -

Socializing encourages the growth and development of the brain. If there's no socializing or if communication is low, you might feel low and depressed.

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Not socializing enough -

On top of that, social health plays a vital role in the development of dementia. An active and socially integrated lifestyle can protect against the disease.

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Spending too much time in the dark -

If you spend too much time in the dark, your brain doesn't get enough exposure to sunlight. 

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Spending too much time in the dark -

This can lead to problems like seasonal affective disorder and depression. Therefore, make sure you're getting plenty of sunlight every day. 

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Eating sugary foods -

Excessive sugar consumption is harmful to brain health and can lead to memory and learning deficiencies. 

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Eating sugary foods -

Sugar can also produce addiction-like effects, driving loss of self-control, and overeating. 

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Lack of mental stimulation -

Learning something new forms connections between our brain cells and helps to keep the brain youthful.

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Lack of mental stimulation -

Also, thinking, reading, writing, and generally doing something creative will train and enhance the brain for better functioning and prevent it from being damaged.

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Negative thinking -

When you're constantly down and negative, it can take a toll on your mental health. This can lead to problems like depression, anxiety, and even dementia.

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Negative thinking -

In fact, some research shows that people who dwell on the negative have more amyloid and tau proteins in their brains. These deposits are a key indicator of Alzheimer's disease. 

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Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol -

Alcohol leads to chemical imbalances in the brain when consumed over long periods in large quantities.

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Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol -

There's also a specific type of alcohol-related dementia that's considered alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). This is due to the damage to the brain caused by drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis. 

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Ignoring your health issues -

It's always important to see a doctor when you're having health problems. Ignoring your health issues can lead to serious problems down the road, including brain damage. 

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Ignoring your health issues -

For example, people who have untreated hypertension are more likely to develop dementia. Untreated depression and diabetes can also be harmful to your brain.

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Being chronically stressed -

A certain amount of stress related to work or family is part of life. But when stress goes beyond your capacity to cope, it hinders the normal functioning of the brain. 

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Being chronically stressed - Chronic stress can lead to cognitive decline due to prolonged elevations of cortisol, which plays an important role in how your body responds to stress.

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Working when you're sick -

Not only are you contagious, but also your brain's efficacy is bound to take a dramatic hit.

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Working when you're sick -

When we're ill, the brain and body are already working extra hard to cope with the infection. So working on a sick day will only add to the burden.

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Multitasking -

Many people think multitasking is an asset, however, it takes a serious toll on productivity. Also, our brains lack the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time. 

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Multitasking -

Research has also shown that chronic multitasking changes the brain over time, leading to difficulting focusing.  

Sources: (HuffPost) (Verywell Mind) (Yahoo! Finance) 

See also: How to tell your brain is aging faster

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