If you suffer from symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, constant headaches, or depression, you probably have poor cerebral blood flow. There are certain reasons why your brain can’t get enough blood, from stress and high blood pressure to blood clots.
Ignoring the early signs of poor blood circulation can even lead to hypoxia, a condition in which brain cells begin to die because they do not receive enough essential elements to function properly.
We have made a list of the most effective methods to improve blood flow to the brain that you can easily try at home.
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Stay Active
When you exercise at high intensity, your muscles need more nutrients, and blood is redistributed between them. This results in a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Easy and moderate exercise, on the other hand, can help increase brain circulation.
In general, all aerobic activities have positive effects on brain blood flow, so you can choose to do something like swimming, biking, dancing, or yoga outside. All of this will be beneficial to your health.
If you don’t have enough time for any type of sport, just take short, brisk walks for 30 to 50 minutes throughout the day. When your foot hits the ground, it sends pressure waves through your arteries which, in turn, send more blood and oxygen to your brain.
Also, don’t forget to exercise whenever you can – take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus before departure so you have to walk the rest of the way, and choose other ways to get to your favorite supermarket.
Stretch Your Muscles
Stretching not only improves the body’s overall circulation by preventing joint and muscle stiffness but also helps the brain receive more oxygen and other essential elements to function properly.
The best stretches to increase circulation to the brain are inversion poses, that is, those with the head below the heart. The simplest and most effective stretching exercises that you can easily do at home are the downward-facing dog pose and the standing forward bend.
But be careful when doing them: If you experience back pain or discomfort, see your doctor immediately.
Meditate More Often
According to some studies, meditation can actually offer many benefits for the brain, including increased circulation in the brain. For example, if you practice a chanting meditation called Kirtan Kriya for 12 minutes a day, you will probably notice that your mind has cleared, your memory has improved, and your mood is more stable.
How to do that:
Sit in a simple cross-legged position with your neck straight, your chin down, and your hands on your knees with your palms facing up.
Start chanting the sounds, “Saa Taa Naa Maa”. Say, “Saa” and touch your thumb with your index finger; say “Taa” and move your thumb to the middle finger; say “Naa” and touch the ring finger with your thumb, and say “Maa” and move your thumb towards the little finger.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Cold Water
Exposure to cold can also help more blood flow to your brain. In fact, some studies show that soaking your foot or hand in cold water, even for a few minutes, can increase your blood pressure, lower your heart rate, and make the blood vessels in your heart and brain work faster.
In addition to applying cold to your hands and feet, you can also start taking a cold shower every day. It can certainly be painful at first, but the lingering effects are certainly worth it.
You can start by finishing your shower with at least 30 seconds of cold water and then building up for longer periods of time.
Exposure to cold also stimulates the vagus nerve, one of the longest nerves in the body, which connects the brain stem to the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. This nerve controls the heart rate, regulates blood pressure and blood glucose balance.
Take Sunbaths
Exposure to bright light and sunlight improves brain function by increasing the natural production of nitric oxide, a substance that dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Sun exposure also helps the skin produce more vitamin D, essential for brain health, good memory, and proper blood circulation.
So if you spend at least 10 minutes in the sun every day during the spring and summer months, you won’t have to worry about depression or any kind of cognitive decline, as your brain is getting enough essential nutrients.
Do you know of other ways to improve blood circulation in the brain? Share your experience with us in the comments!
