5 habits that are destroying your brain (though they may seem quite harmless)

Ever wondered that like all organs in our body, we need to take care of our brains as well? Yes, the brain too, like other organs, needs plenty of nutrition, exercise and rest, yet we seem to take our brains for granted by abusing it left, right and centre. Here are some habits of yours that are destroying your brain, that you might not even be aware of..

When you wake up in the morning, your brain needs some fresh air, a splash of cold water in the face, and plenty of sunlight to wake up, and not a phone screen. While it is okay to check important messages when you wake up, leave your phone alone after that. Instead, invest your energies in doing something more productive, such as a brisk walk, meditation, or even some yoga. Just don't clog your brains with so much sensory noise.

No matter how much of a foodie you are, refrain from treating your stomach like a trash can - basically anything and everything can't go in there. While it is perfectly normal to enjoy good food, it does not have to be in the form of junk, no matter how much you like it. In case you still crave it, have it no more than once or twice a month, and enjoy fresh, seasonal, and flavorful food the rest of the time.

Like explained earlier, our brains, just like our body too, needs exercise. For this, it is important to nourish it with both food and wisdom. Reading books, both fiction and non fiction, activates the brain to think more, learn more, and be more involved. If you are not into the habit of reading, cultivate one now. Start by reading five pages of any book each day, and then slowly work your way up.

Not exercising will eventually get to you, no doubt about that. The sooner you start, the longer you will live, experts say. For this, it is important to inculcate exercise as a part of your schedule, and not something you do as and when time permits. Start with anything you enjoy - the goal is to get those lazy muscles moving. Build up resistance as you go along, and include strength training as you progress. Just 30 minutes everyday is enough to get you going.

Sticking to your regular job, without a surplus source of income can be catastrophic for your brain. Yes that is true. Regular learning, upskilling, and achieving milestones along the way, can build neuroplasticity. (the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life) To do this, set aside 60 minutes in a day to learn something new. This in turn helps you achieve more in life, that will keep your brain happy, and stress at bay!