Why looking after your brain matters more now than ever!
Since starting as the Community Educator at Alzheimers Taranaki, I’ve learned so much about the brain — and honestly, it’s incredible.
Did you know your brain has roughly as many neurons as there are stars in the sky? And each of those neurons connects with about 10,000 others. Mind-blowing, right?
We all know the brain is vital — I mean, we’re literally not alive without it. But let’s take a moment to really appreciate how much it does for us.
Your brain manages everything: your thoughts, emotions, personality, decision-making, movement, conversations, your senses — even digestion and breathing. It’s your command centre, working 24/7.
A Growing Challenge
At Alzheimers Taranaki, we’re seeing first-hand the rise in dementia. Right now, around 70,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with dementia, and that number is expected to climb to 170,000 in the next 25 years.
Why? Largely because we’re living longer — and many of us are living longer with health conditions like diabetes, or after surviving strokes or heart attacks.
So, if I’m going to live into my 80s (and I hope I do!), I want quality. I want to walk in the bush and along the beach. I want to get out of a chair — and off the toilet — without needing help. And while cooking and cleaning aren’t my favourite things, I’d like to still be able to do them.
Most of all, I’d really rather not develop dementia like my mother did. Are you with me?
So, What Can We Do?
The good news? It’s simple — and you’re probably already doing some of it.
Just remember: small steps really do make a difference.
🫀 Look after your heart to help your brain
What’s good for your heart is good for your head.
Eat well — a Mediterranean-style diet is a great place to start (though everyone’s a little different).
Move regularly — aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity that gets you puffing, five days a week. Add in strength training twice a week.
This helps maximise blood flow to your brain — delivering the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
🧠 Challenge your brain with new experiences
Novelty stimulates new connections. That could be as simple as taking a different route on your walk, visiting a new café, trying a new recipe, or learning a hobby on YouTube.
New pathways make the brain more flexible and resilient as we age.
👥 Be social
The brain loves connection. Conversations light up multiple areas of the brain — listening, interpreting, reading body language, planning what to say next.
And bonus: it's enjoyable!
😴 Prioritise sleep
We all know the fog of a bad night’s sleep. Your brain does its deepest processing and repair work while you sleep.
If sleep is tricky, it’s worth exploring what you can shift — because quality sleep is powerful for brain health.
🧠 World Brain Day – 22 July
Let’s celebrate by doing one small thing to look after your amazing brain.
Why not start by learning more?
👉 Join this free World Brain Day webinar
Register here https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_63KVbsCFSIC6GvKFqeqyGA
Run by World Federation of Neurology
We’ve got this.
Eat well, move often, try new things, stay connected, and sleep like your brain depends on it — because it does.
Ageing well starts now.
