What is the most important part of the body? If you said anything other than the brain, then you need to go back to primary school. Or didn't they teach you in primary school? The brain is the part of the body that controls the rest. It receives information from the other parts of the body and then acts based on that information. When the brain is functioning properly, it takes rational and correct decisions, but when it isn't, it takes some very questionable decisions. Anyone who doubts this has clearly never driven a car in Nigeria. Some drivers drive as if traffic laws do not exist. If you doubt me, come to Ibadan and board a Micra cab. I guarantee you would be holding on for dear life all through the ride.

On a more serious note, let us answer the first question you need to know.

What Is the Brain?

The brain is a complex organ that controls all thoughts, emotions, decisions, and body processes. The brain is the control center of the body. The brain controls all body processes, including involuntary processes such as blood circulation and kidney filtration, which is a good thing because some of you would decide to stop your kidneys from filtering your blood if you could, or stop your heart because you were served breakfast. If you are in this category, change your ways.

In case you are among those asking where is the brain located in the head, the brain is housed in the cranium (skull, village person).

What Is Brain Health?

Brain health is the brain's ability to function properly across thinking, memory, emotions, and behaviour. You cannot separate the brain from health. According to the World Health Organisation, brain health is "the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural, and motor domains, allowing a person to realize their full potential over the life course, irrespective of the presence or absence of disorders." Brain health simply refers to the overall well-being of the brain. It examines whether the brain is functioning properly or like that of Lagosians. Don't argue, you know it's true.

Proper brain health means the brain is receiving the proper nutrition, it is not being damaged by drugs and alcohol, it is carrying out its functions smoothly and properly, and if its decision-making is not compromised (Hence the jab at Lagosians).

Now that we have seen what the brain is and what brain health is, there is another important question to ask.

What Are the Factors That Affect Brain Health?

Certain factors affect brain health. Or did you think the brain just decides to be healthy or unhealthy?

Physical Health

Brain and health walk side by side. Factors that affect physical health will definitely affect brain health. Proper nutrition is one of the most important things to consider in brain health. It is not just enough to eat, but to eat the right foods in the proper amounts. So, you who eats as if you won't eat again, more power to your elbows. The brain needs proper nutrition to function, so it is very important to eat well.

Exercise is also important. It improves blood flow to the brain, helps the body to deal with anxiety, and reduces the risk of hypertension and obesity, which are important risk factors for diseases that affect the brain, such as stroke.

Other important areas to understand are sleep and hydration. Yes, hydration, did you think the brain does not need water? It does. Water helps to deliver the nutrients that the brain needs. Sleep allows the brain to rest and relax. It provides an opportunity for the brain to recharge itself and recuperate.

Mental Health

Obviously, this would definitely affect the brain. Emotional factors like stress and social isolation play a very important role in brain health. They can lead to mental conditions like depression or anxiety disorders. They also increase the risk factors for physical conditions like hypertension and even stroke.

Lifestyle Habits

You cannot imagine that someone who drinks to stupor regularly, abuses drugs frequently, and smokes like a chimney will have a healthy brain. The harmful materials get into the blood supply and damage the brain. To attain proper neurological health, there is a need to avoid or at least reduce the intake of these substances for proper brain well-being.

What Are the Signs That the Brain Is Not Healthy?

The signs of poor brain health include memory loss, frequent and unexplained headaches, sleeping problems, sudden confusion and dizziness, and in some cases, behavioural changes, especially increased aggression.

How Do I Take Care of My Brain?

This is a question you should have been asking, but better late than never. Or don't you want to know what improves brain health?

Healthy Nutrition

The brain burns a lot of calories in carrying out its duties, so there is a need to eat properly. I did not say you should be eating like a thief. Moderation is very important. It is not just enough to eat; some nutrients are very helpful for the brain. Foods that are good for the brain include green vegetables, foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as freshwater fish, such as Salmon and sardines. For those allergic to seafood or vegans, chia seeds, walnuts, and flax seeds are very good plant sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Ensure your diet contains food rich in Vitamins B, C, and D, antioxidants, and Vitamin K. Avoid processed food and very fatty or salted food.

Regular Exercise

Exercise is very good for cognitive health. Physical exercise helps to reduce the risks of illnesses that are detrimental to brain health e.g Diabetes and obesity. It also helps to combat mental conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Exercise is not only physical, but there are also mental exercises as well. If you can build your muscles in the gym, you can also sharpen your brain. Mental activities like solving puzzles, reading about something new, and learning new skills really go a long way in sharpening the brain. They engage the brain and help to sharpen it to make it more effective.

Sleep, Rest, and Stress Management

These are crucial for proper neurological wellness. When you get enough sleep and rest, the brain is able to recharge and recuperate itself. Sleep also provides the brain enough time to repair damage. Inadequate sleep and rest lead to an overworked brain. While this may be manageable in the short run, like during exam periods, in the long run, it leads to mental issues like burnout and exhaustion.

In addition to these, find ways of managing stress. It could be as simple as curling up on the couch with a novel or listening to soothing music (I recommend Pachelbel's Canon in D) or going for a walk. If you are the outgoing type, you could find a place to hang out with your friends and gossip about the latest things in your lives. Find an activity to help you unwind or loosen up. This gives your brain some space to breathe and prevents the stress from building up.

Regular Check-ups

Find ways to go for regular check-ups. Check your blood pressure and blood sugar regularly. When you can, visit the hospital and run tests on yourself. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

The brain is the most important part of the body, and it should be treated with care. Ensuring that the brain is healthy should be a priority for everyone. The brain is too important to treat with levity, so taking care of it is unavoidable. To take care of your brain, eat right, exercise, and deal with stress and anxiety, so my question to you, my dear reader, is this: Will you take care of your brain or not?

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