How to be kind to your brain

The brain is essential to wellbeing. It helps you walk, talk, do crossword puzzles and remember good bits of gossip to tell your friends. But are you taking care of it?

In The experts, Sarah Phillips talked to neurologists about simple brain-care tips. Generally, the practices that help your body also help your brain – such as regular exercise, a nutrient-rich diet, adequate sleep, and avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol. Other advice includes:

• Use tech well. Don’t be on your phone all the time, but use technology intentionally and in ways that help you connect with others. Some early research suggests that middle-aged adults who use social media have reduced incidences of dementia, says neurologist Dr Faye Begeti.
• Try new hobbies and meet new people. “Brain and mind health is all about having ambitions and interests outside of yourself,” says Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan, a consultant in neurology.
• Learn a new language. Although it’s harder to learn as you get older, picking up a new skill – especially learning a new language or how to play an instrument – can help keep your brain sharp.
• Wear a helmet during high-impact activities. And avoid headers when you play football. Keep your noggin safe!

And accept that some memory loss is to be expected as you age. Bianca Nogrady explored the difference between regular forgetfulnessness and signs of dementia this week.

Read all about brain care here.

Soreness after a workout can be satisfying – a twinge that proves you worked hard. But is it necessary? It depends on who you are and what your goals are, experts say. While it’s not terrible to feel sore after physical exertion, it is “not required to maintain our overall fitness level”, says Dr Michele Bird, a clinical assistant professor of applied exercise science. Here are some ways to prevent excessive soreness:

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you don’t drink enough water before, during and after a workout, you’re much more likely to feel achy the next day.
• Fuel yourself properly. Eating carbs before a high-intensity workout helps with energy, and eating protein after exercising helps your muscles repair themselves.
• Train different muscles on different days. Especially with weight training, avoid exercising the same muscle group two days in a row.

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For the most part, we know what self-care entails: get enough sleep, move your body, eat some vegetables, blah blah blah. It can all feel rather tedious. But what if being healthy earned you… *checks notes* Rainbow Stones? As Chloë Hamilton writes, some apps turn wellness into a game where basic tasks earn you rewards. Hamilton tried four such apps and found that despite the cute graphics and gimmicks, they tended to add more stress, rather than relieve it. Having your sleep tracked by a Pokémon sounds pretty good, though.

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Throughout my teens and twenties, I could become infatuated with almost anyone. So I identified deeply with the reader who told Eleanor Gordon-Smith they want to date casually, but are worried about falling in love with every single person. But this kind of infatuation is not love, says Gordon-Smith: “Love responds to what we know; crushes and fixations respond to what we don’t.” She suggests that catching feelings for every person might be a way of living in imagination. “Why does the fantasy of the next person seem more attractive than your current situation?” Gordon-Smith asks.

Read the full story here.