13 Habits that Increase Your Risk of Dementia

We all have habits we do everyday without thinking. And that usually involves a few bad habits as well. But could some of those habits be increasing your risk of dementia? According to the latest research, some habits may not be as harmless as they appear.

Growing older already increases the chances of developing dementia. Don’t worsen your chances with the wrong habit. So read on for 13 dangerous habits that seem harmless, but actually raise your chances of developing dementia later on in life.

Dementia and You

Despite common misconception, dementia isn’t actually a disease. Rather, it’s a general catch-all term for a decline in mental facilities due to, for example, an actual disease like Alzheimer’s. Dementia symptoms vary, but usually involve some form of memory problem. There’s no known cure for most forms of dementia.

According to the CDC, over 5 million adults suffered from dementia in 2014 with the numbers expected to grow in the future. Older adults are most at risk of developing symptoms. Family members with dementia is also a big indicator that you might be in danger of developing dementia in your lifetime. The first step to reducing your chances of dementia start with building a better lifestyle. That means getting rid of habits that increase your risk.

13 Habits That Increase Your Risk of Dementia

Lack of Sleep

We live in a busy world and it’s all to easy to skip out on an hour or two of sleep. Those missing hours, however, start to add up. A consistent lack of sleep over a long period of time has shown signs of increasing the risk of dementia. This isn’t too surprise as not getting enough sleep already leaves you groggy and forgetful in the morning. As difficult as it can sometimes be, it’s important to try to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep every night. As for the bad news, naps aren’t a suitable replacement for sleep.

Too Much Caffeine

There’s nothing wrong with a little extra boost in the morning. For a lot of people that extra morning energy is the only thing getting them through the day. But once you start drinking multiple cups of coffee a day, that’s when things start to become a problem. Constant sips of caffeine throughout the day can raise your risk of developing dementia-related issues later on in life. This also includes other caffeine-laden drinks like energy drinks. You don’t have to cut out caffeine entirely, but it’s important that you practice moderation. And on the plus slide, cutting back on the coffee can make it easier to fall asleep at night too.

Smoking and Alcohol

We all know how bad smoking and drinking is. Lung caner and liver disease are bad enough, but these vices also come with the risk of ruining your memory when you’re older. And as much as we all love a glass of wine after dinner, even a single glass can lead to trouble down the line. It’s fine to drink a glass of wine every once in a while – the occasional glass is even good for your heart. But drink everyday and you risk dementia. (And liver disease.)

Smoking, of course, comes with its own set of problems. Eve vaping isn’t entirely healthy. Unlike with alcohol, there’s no such thing as a bit of harmless smoking. Cut out smoking entirely. Never mind dementia. Lung cancer, hearth disease and a whole host of other problems are lying in wait for smokers.

A Stressful Lifestyle

Deadlines, appointments and meeting the in-laws – life is stressful. Living with too much stress, however, isn’t good. Stress can cause your blood pressure to raise and your mental health to deteriorate.. In the short term, this can easily lead to illness or other problems. The long-term effects, however, can mean a greater susceptibility to certain illnesses like dementia. Many people don’t realize, but a stressful lifestyle has the potential to weaken your immune system. Likewise, stress can make it harder to manage your day-to-day life.

Unfortunately, living a stress-free life is beyond most of us. Thankfully, there are ways to manage stress. Daily meditation or yoga, for example, are a great way to slow down and focus on the now. Even a little bit of relaxation now-and-again can add up over time.

Too Much Noise

A lot of people like to listen to music. And many of these same people will also have the volume turned up. It’s no surprise then that a lot of people also end up with hearing loss over time. Thankfully, modern hearings aids exist, right? Unfortunately, hearing loss isn’t that simple. According to some doctors, losing your hearing can cause your brain to weaken at a faster rate. This means that listening to your favorite song on the way to work can lead to a higher risk of dementia if you don’t turn down the volume.

Head Injuries

Most people aren’t in the habit of getting head injuries. A lot of other people, however, love to play sports. And when it comes to contact sports, the risk of head injuries are a lot more likely. For older folks, a head injury is much more likely to lead to dementia in the future. And as you’d expect, the more head injuries you sustain, the greater the chances become. For professionals athletes, studies have even shown that their risk of dementia is many times greater than the average person.

There’s nothing wrong with playing a sport. But it’s also a good idea to play one that doesn’t involve heavy contact. You don’t have to be old to worry about head injuries either. Even younger people should stay away from contact sports, or at the very least, play cautious and stay safe.

Ignoring Your Social Life

Friends are important. But it’s not always easy staying in contact as you get older. From work to family obligations, maintaining a social life can quickly become a low priority. And that’s understandable, however, sacrificing your social relationships can quickly lead to loneliness when you’re older. For older adults with feelings of loneliness, keeping your mental health in check isn’t easy. Doubly so, when loneliness also increase the chances of developing dementia. So even during the busy times, it’s a good idea to send your friends a quick text or email.

Not Being Active

Caring about your mental health is important when it comes to defending against dementia. Keeping your mental health healthy, however, also means keeping your body in check. Not getting regular exercise can greatly increase the chances of dementia as you get older. Exercising doesn’t mean having to spend hours at the gym everyday. Going outside for a walk around the block a couple of times a week can greatly improve your health.

A lack of exercise is a surefire sign that you aren’t living healthy. And unhealthy living points to dementia being in your future. Don’t ignore your health, exercise regularly and your body will thank you.

Unhealthy Eating

Not every doctor agrees that poor eating habits can increase your risk of dementia. However, even without the risk, junk food still isn’t good for your body. Putting too much junk without the right nutrients in your body leaves you feeling sluggish and poor throughout the day. That’s why its important to have a healthy diet that includes lots of vegetables and fruits. It’s also a good idea to cut back on the processed food like chips or sweets. Ditching soda for water is another great idea.

Even if a better diet doesn’t lead to a reduced risk of dementia later on in life, reducing this risk is a lot easier when you’re not being held back by a poor diet.

Not Caring About Cholesterol

Everybody knows that high cholesterol is as bad for you as high blood pressure. Very few of us, however, actually go out of our way to to keep these things in check. That means getting a regular check-up from the doctor. Nobody wants to visit the doctor, but as we get older, it becomes a necessary responsibility. Poor cardiovascular health is a big risk factor when it comes to dementia.

If your cholesterol levels or blood pressure are high, there’s still a chance to change things. Talking with your doctor can give you ideas on how you can manage things to get everything back under control. But the only way to do this, is if you talk with your doctor in the first place.

Not Keeping Up With Your Studies

For a lot of people, growing older means losing much of your mental sharpness. That doesn’t have to be the case. Learning new things even as you get older can help to slow down the loss of mental facilities. Just like exercise, learning is a life-long endeavor that always keeps giving. According to some researchers, learning (such as through higher education) can help to reduce the risks of getting dementia.

Too Much Phone Time

You don’t have to look far to find studies showing that too much phone time is bad for you. Mindlessly scrolling through social media posts can cause you to become easily distracted. Your ability to focus for long periods of time will start to fade and you’ll have a hard time concentrating on difficult subjects. As a result, your chances of developing dementia start to rise as you get older. This means that it’s important to find new hobbies and activities to replace mindlessly staring at a screen all day.

Finding things to do isn’t always easy, especially when you’re older. Luckily, it’s only mindless scrolling that’s actually a problem. Instead of scrolling through Facebook, read a book on your phone instead.

Not Caring About Your Mental Health

Not taking care of your physical health can lead to bad things happening later on in life. Including developing brain-related issues like dementia. The same thing also applies to your mental health. Not taking care of yourself can easily lead to depression, anxiety and worse. Although they may not seem like problems in the moment, over time, bigger issues can arise. And for older adults, this means a much higher risk of dementia or worse.

Taking care of your mental health is essential if you plan to live a long and healthy life. It isn’t always easy to do, but taking care of yourself mentally is just as important as anything else.

Staying Ahead of Dementia

Dementia is a terrible disease that harms both you and the people you love. It may not have a cure, but that doesn’t mean it’s unavoidable. Avoiding bad habits may not guarantee you won’t end up with dementia in your later years, but good habits will still improve your life. And when you avoid habits that increase your chances of dementia, your later years can be spent in comfort