Did you know that one of the BEST things you can do for your brain is simply to connect with others?
Did you know that one of the BEST things you can do for your brain is simply to connect with others?
It’s true!
One study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that older adults who were more social had a 70% lower rate of cognitive decline…
And another study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that adults with strong social ties had better mental health and longer life expectancy.
In other words?
Engaging in meaningful conversations, sharing experiences, and feeling a sense of belonging can improve your mood, reduce stress, and even boost your brain function!
Aside from your fitness community here at BCS Fitness...here are some other ways to get more social interaction in your life:
Reach out to a friend at least once per week: Yes, even if you’re busy! Schedule a coffee date or phone call with someone to catch up and connect.
Join a club or group: Find a local hobby group or an online community that shares your interests. Apps like MeetUp or local Facebook groups can be a good place to find your people.
Volunteer for a cause you care about: Giving back to your community is a great way to meet new people and create fulfilling connections! Plus, giving back to others is another great way to boost your confidence and gratitude.
Be present: Again — connection is key. When you’re with others, truly engage. Put away distractions and focus on the conversation.
The bottom line is, taking care of your brain doesn’t have to be complicated or feel clinical...
Sometimes, it’s as simple as making time for the people who matter in your life!
We all need people who…
"Surround yourself with those who see greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself." - Zig Ziglar
Some days, you just won’t feel it.
You’ll wake up tired, unmotivated, or just plain off — and that’s okay!
Instead of staying in the struggle, these are the perfect moments to surround yourself with people who support you.
We all need people who:
🙌 Inspire us to keep going
🙌 Remind us of why we started
🙌 See our full potential
And who want to see us succeed 🤩
If you have those people in your life, show them some appreciation today…
And if you’d like more of those people in your life, you just met one! 🙋
Want to make looking, moving, and feeling better easier?
Want to make looking, moving, and feeling better easier?
Get your brain on board.
We're not just talking about your mindset…
We're talking about your brain health, too!
Research shows that adults with healthy brains also tend to have:
✅ healthier bodies
✅ and a more positive outlook on life
…which means they’re more likely to achieve their goals AND stay active longer.
Makes sense, right?
That’s why in honor of World Alzheimer’s Month this month, we’re focusing on:
Simple daily practices that can support your brain health now and in the long run
Why managing your stress is one of the BEST things you can do for your brain (and your body)
Easy ways to work brain-healthy foods into your diet
How to get your brain on board with your goals
And soooo much more.
Until then, we'll leave you with this to think about …
How much more could you achieve if your brain operated at its full potential?
Do this for 5 seconds…
What if we told you that the reason you could be struggling with your workouts, following your meal plan, or sticking with some of your new healthy habits …
Is your phone?
Hear us out…
When we scroll on our phones, our brains release dopamine — a.k.a. the same “feel-good” chemical we get when we eat our favorite foods or get a hug.
Sounds harmless, right?
Unfortunately, research is finding that those quick dopamine hits from our phones can create a cycle of instant gratification similar to substance abuse!
When that happens, our brains start to prefer those quick, satisfying dopamine hits over any sort of delayed gratification…
And as you can imagine, that can make it harder to do things you don’t want to do — like go to the gym when you’d rather sit and scroll.
Our suggestion?
The next time you catch yourself grabbing your phone just to scroll, count to five.
If you still feel the urge, do something active for just five minutes instead.
Take a short walk, stretch, or even just step outside for a breath of fresh air.
This small break can help reset your brain and give you a burst of energy and focus!
REFERENCES:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1294116/full
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1094583/full