A shocking study has revealed that some seemingly harmless daily habits may be a hidden cause of deteriorating brain health and the development of serious diseases such as depression and Alzheimer’s.
اضافة اعلان
Habits are known as repeated behaviors that become automatic, requiring little conscious effort or deep thinking to perform. When daily practices turn into ingrained habits, they are executed almost automatically, freeing up mental energy to focus on new and complex tasks.
When forming a new habit, the prefrontal cortex emerges as the primary driver of this process. Located at the front part of the brain, this cortex is characterized by its folded gray matter structure and plays the role of the "executive center" responsible for advanced cognitive functions.
The prefrontal cortex handles three main tasks in habit formation:
Strategic planning of the new behavior
Decision-making related to implementing the habit
Problem-solving that hinders consistency
This brain region acts as an "executive manager" directing complex mental processes during the early stage of habit formation until the task is handed off to other brain areas responsible for automatic tasks, enabling the prefrontal cortex to focus on new challenges.
Famous psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, a specialist in brain imaging research in California, warned of seven common habits that millions practice daily without realizing their real danger to cognitive function.
7 Daily Habits That Silently Damage Your Brain – Avoid Them:
1. The inability to say no:
Stop saying “yes” to everything. Learn to say: “I’ll think about it” before committing to new responsibilities.
2. Multitasking:
Multitasking reduces your focus, weakens your memory and decision-making ability, and increases stress and anxiety. Focus on one task at a time.
3. Overconsumption of ultra-processed foods:
Foods like chips, cookies, and ice cream are linked to obesity, diabetes, cancer, depression, and early death. Instead, choose healthy foods you enjoy and that benefit your body.
4. Physical inactivity:
Lack of physical activity reduces blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of depression and Alzheimer’s. Regular movement can improve mood and concentration.
5. Using harmful personal care products:
Products containing toxic chemicals like parabens and phthalates can disrupt hormones and cause fatigue, depression, brain fog, and symptoms resembling ADHD. To avoid this risk, use apps like Think Dirty to check product safety.
6. Sticking to a fixed routine without growth:
When you stop learning, your brain starts to decline. Stimulate your brain by regularly learning new things.
7. Neglecting safety and risking head injuries:
Amen states that even mild head injuries can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, brain fog, irritability, and memory issues.
He advises wearing a helmet while biking, holding onto railings when using stairs, and avoiding texting while driving to minimize the risk of injury.
