BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — With everything there is to worry about on a daily basis, it’s easy to get into habits that won’t bode well for your health as you age.

September is Healthy Aging Month, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation (AFA) released 10 tips to make sure you form good habits now so your body and mind can thank you later.

Most of these might seem obvious, but we can all sometimes use a reminder to not forget to do these things.

1. Eat Well – The AFA recommends adopting a low-fat diet, and eating lot of fruits and vegetables. They also recommend taking daily vitamins and limiting your intake of red meats, fried and processed foods, salt and sugar.
2. Stay Active – Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and can help improve your mood and overall wellbeing. Even something as simple as fast-walking can benefit your brain health, while aerobics can boost your heart rate, and weight training builds strength and flexibility.
3. Learn New Things – Just like physical workouts, exercising your brain is necessary to keep it healthy. Challenge your brain by trying something you haven’t done before, like learning a new language or cooking a new recipe.
4. Get Enough Sleep – Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night can help your memory and thinking stay sharp for work and your other activities. Insomnia or sleep apnea can be detrimental to your memory and thinking, as well as your physical health.
5. Mind Your Meds – Make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medication. Being educated about what it can do to your body can prepare you for what to expect when you take it.
6. Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol – Smoking can increase the risk of other serious illnesses, such as lung cancer, while too much alcohol can impair judgment and cause accidents. September is also National Recovery Month, so if you think you need to limit your consumption of alcohol, challenge yourself to cut down.
7. Stay Connected – Social interaction (both in-person and online) are very important for brain health, as they can improve your mood and stimulate your mind. Invite friends and family over and see how you feel afterwards. Participating in community events is another way to stimulate your mind.
8. Know Your Blood Pressure – Blood pressure can impact your cognitive functioning. Visit your physician regularly to check your blood pressure and make sure it is in normal range.
9. See Your Doctor – Maintaining your annual physicals and getting health screenings are good ways to manage illnesses you have or spot any signs that you might be getting sick. Speak with your physician about any concerns or questions you have about your health.
10. Get a Memory Screening – In addition to annual physicals for our bodies, our brains need regular checkups as well. Memory screenings are quick and noninvasive. According to the AFA website, they consist of a series of questions to test our memory, language, thinking skills and other cognitive functions. AFA offers free virtual memory screenings every weekday — click here to learn more about them. You can also talk to your doctor about getting one as part of your annual physical.

Sometimes, we find ourselves struggling to get through the day, and we overlook simple solutions such as these that can help us get back on track.

Doing these 10 things for Healthy Aging Month (and afterwards, too) might make all the difference in helping you have a happier and healthier future.

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