HEALTH: Top tips for staying sharp in later life!

1 Keep active – Do physical exercises and activities. An active lifestyle and regular exercise are linked to healthier brains.

2 Don’t smoke – Smoking is linked with having a thinner cortex which is crucial for thinking skills.

3 Have regular check-ups – have check-ups with your doctor to see if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

4 Eat a healthy diet – eat a diet high in fruit, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, beans and cereals; moderate in fish, dairy products and wine; and limited in red meat and poultry.

5 Maintain a healthy weight – manage your weight through healthy eating and physical activity.

6 Take up a new activity – take up activities or hobbies you haven’t done before. New activities might help improve thinking skills. If you do activities in a group, the increased social interaction may play a role too.

7 Look after your sleep – aim for an average of seven to eight hours sleep a day as this amount is related to better brain and physical health.

8 Learn another language – Learning and using more than one language is linked with better thinking skills.