In terms of weight, the average adult human brain weighs in at 1300 to 1400 grams or around 3 pounds. In terms of length, the average brain is around 15 centimeters long. For comparison, a newborn human baby's brain weighs approximately 350 to 400 grams or three-quarters of a pound.
Everything that happens in our lives, when we're awake or asleep, whether it be breathing, swallowing, seeing, hearing, touching, reading or writing, singing or dancing, thinking silently or talking out loud, loving or hating, planning or acting spontaneously, etc is all thanks to our brain.
Taking into account that the numerous activities it manages, the brain needs the most energy. We need to make sure we are doing the right things so that we optimize brain health. Some habits and practices that we do on a daily basis without knowing are working against our brain. Below are the habits that are bad for the brain.
1. SKIPPING BREAKFAST
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and when you don’t have it, you will feel sluggish as your brain has not received the energy to work properly. When there is a lack of nutrients, the metabolic rate will slow down and the brain will turn some crucial functions off.
2. WORKING WHEN SICK
When you are suffering from illness, it is essential to give your body the rest it needs. This is due to the tension of your body’s immunity that is already fighting off the disease. When you are not taking enough rest, you are at the risk of prolonging the disease and this can cause the function of the brain to be impaired.
3. SLEEPING WITH PHONE NEXT TO YOU
Keeping your phone next to you can disrupt the quality of your sleep. This is true because it exposed you to the electromagnetic wave and radiation that can, in the long term, affect your health. Mobile phone radiation can lead to confusion and headaches, and there is a study that shows mobile phone radiation can cause cancer. Hence, reduce the usage of the phone and keep away your phone while sleeping.
4. LACK OF COMMUNICATION
During verbal communication, you use different parts of the brain, so when you lack practice in verbal communications, it can lead to poor communication skills. Humans are designed to communicate with each other verbally. And when you face difficulties in this it can cause you isolation from society that can result in anxiety, depression and more serious mental issues.
5. UNHEALTHY FOODS
Besides weight gaining from eating unhealthy foods, it also causes a reduction in your brain function. The brain needs specific nutrients to work optimally, therefore you should follow a balanced diet and nutrition-rich foods.
6. POOR SLEEP QUALITY
You need to get regular quality sleep in order to keep your brain healthy. During sleep, the brain performs the activity of long term memory storing and the removal of toxins and waste. Thus, when you fail to have a good quality of sleep, it can result in memory impairment and also increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
7. SMOKING
Cigarettes contain harmful substances and toxins that damage the brain. Smoking damages the part of the brain which is responsible for motor functions, balance, and coordination and this leads to serious illness in the long term.
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References:
1. https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/ss/slideshow-bad-brain-habits
2. https://www.neuronation.com/science/5-daily-habits-damage-your-brain
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