There’s a lot of waste from our cells in our bodies. Thankfully, we have ways to eliminate the waste, which keeps us healthy. Our brains’ glymphatic system is charged with getting rid of the junk in our brains.
Without our glymphatic system, we’d have too much waste in our brains. That waste can cause Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia and other degenerative and psychiatric diseases. Unfortunately, as we age, our glymphatic system does not function as well as it might.
Fortunately, sleep and exercise can help ensure your glymphatic system is working as well as possible.
What is the glymphatic system exactly and how does it work? It is the fluid in the small spaces surrounding the blood vessels in the brain. These vessels grow larger and smaller as your heart pumps. And, the surrounding fluid moves with it, carrying the brain’s waste away. That happens most when we’re sleeping.
What to do?
- If possible, keep to a consistent sleep schedule and don’t take medicines to sleep.
- Ongoing exercise also keeps the glymphatic system fluids circulating because it improves your heart health. So, exercise as much as possible on a regular basis.
- Mindful breathing can help clean the brain. Yoga is one way to slow down your breathing. So does meditation.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Practicing yoga can improve your sleep
- Walk more, sleep better
- Warning: Poor sleep can increase risk of dementia
- Exercise can help an aging brain
