The development of a child’s brain is dependent on many factors. The environment, nutrition, and the guidance of the people around them all play a vital role in improving their cognitive health.  

In the United States, there’s much talk about the prevalence of SCD or subjective cognitive decline. SCD is the worsening of memory that could escalate to Alzheimer’s or dementia when a person reaches the age of 45-64. In recent years, it’s been reported that one in nine adults suffer from SCD. 

It’s become a public health issue since about 30% of these adults live alone and could suffer from injuries related to their illnesses. Since the only confirmed cause of cognitive decline is genetics, many suggestions have been implemented to prevent its occurrence.  

One of the suggestions to prevent it is to alter one’s lifestyle while still young. This includes learning new things and stimulating the brain to improve cognitive health. Because when your cognitive health is at its peak while you’re young and Alzheimer’s isn’t in your genes, you can avoid SCD when you get a little older.

Another suggestion is to take nootropics, which are substances believed to improve one’s cognitive function. One famous brand offering effective nootropics is Science.Bio; however, it closed just recently. This isn’t entirely bad news as there’s still nootropics replacements offered by other reputable brands.

What Is Cognitive Health? 

Cognitive health refers to one function of the brain that focuses on its ability to think, learn, and remember. The other three factors, motor, tactile and emotional functions, are also vital parts of a person’s daily life. Cognitive health is essential to assist an individual in achieving their dreams and aspirations.  

From conception to age eight, a child’s brain can rapidly develop. This is why early childhood development is essential at this stage. Kids can learn by observing and listening to things around them. This is also why sensory play has become massively popular with young kids.  

Cognitive health is pivotal in the future success of an individual as it provides the brain with the capacity to do the following: 

• Directing and completing complex movements 
• Paying attention 
• Discovering new things 
• Understanding and expressing language 
• Recalling things from the remote past 
• Regulating emotions 
• Social perception and judgment 

Growing up, the child’s cognitive health takes a valuable stride. Here are some of the things you need to know about cognitive health among young adults: 

There Are Essential Stages In The Development Of Cognitive Health 

When a child reaches the age of six to12, their brain can perform concrete thinking. This is a form of thinking performed around objects or situations, such as basic mathematical operations, like adding and subtracting, putting things in order, and transforming objects and actions.  

From 12 until 18, they’re more capable of performing complex thinking, also known as formal logical operations. This is the ability to do abstract thinking, reasoning from principles, evaluating different points of view, and having awareness of the thought processes. 

Eating Healthy Foods Is Essential In Developing Cognitive Health 

The brain comprises neurons, and healthy neurons affect the brain’s ability to perform at its best. Surprisingly, specific foods could contribute to the decline of your brain’s neurons. Eating foods rich in fat and high in sugar can cause neurons to swell and not give birth to new, healthy neurons. This affects how the brain works and is even connected with several mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety.  

But, a diet comprising foods with healthy nutrients can improve the formation of neurons. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids in certain fish varieties, like salmon and mackerel, are rich in this brain-boosting nutrient. Nuts and seeds, like chia, flaxseed, walnuts, hemp, and edamame seeds, provide the same.  

Sleep Helps Enhance Cognitive Health 

Kids hate it when they’re asked to sleep early by their parents, but sleep plays a crucial role in enhancing cognitive health, regardless of age. Sleeping less than the recommended hours can affect cognitive functioning. According to experts, sleep facilitates the consolidation of memories learned before sleeping and efficiently acquiring new memories after sleeping.  

Young adults need to sleep for eight to ten hours a day. When they do this consistently, they’ll feel more alert, retain memory well, and have better thinking skills.  

Exercise Can Boost Cognitive Health 

Exercise has many benefits for the body. It keeps the heart strong, reduces stress, maintains healthy body weight, and boosts thinking skills. Exercising boosts memory by lowering insulin resistance and inflammation, and encouraging healthy brain cell growth. With exercise, there’s a healthy production of new blood vessels that can increase the number of healthy brain cells and help in the survival of a few weak ones.  

Conclusion 

Cognitive health in young adults can’t be underestimated. This is vital in shaping their future and the decisions they’ll make in attaining what they aspire for. Maintaining a healthy body is related to the wellness of one’s intellectual faculties. Having a healthy diet, performing mental activities, sleeping, and exercising all play a crucial role in this significant part of one’s body. To boost cognitive health, even more, taking nootropics or other similar supplements may be what you need.