How to reduce your risk of dementia

This kind of exercise involves “opposition” movements, where the opposite sides of the body work to coordinate each other.

Running and swimming are both good examples, and boost physical coordination, brain function, energy and clarity.

These simple movements stimulate your brain and nervous system to fire up neural pathways in the right and left side of your brain at the same time, building a connective path between both sides of the brain.

Try doing the following exercise on a daily basis: Stand with your feet apart, and arms outstretched and parallel to the ground. Move your weight on to your right foot while lifting your left knee. Touch your left knee with your right hand. Return to the start position. Immediately shift your weight over to your left foot, lift your right knee and touch it with your left hand. Repeat 10 times.

Just one in five people know that hearing loss is linked to dementia, so getting a hearing test is one of the best things you can do to help keep your brain sharp.

Healthcare company Hidden Hearing has launched a campaign called Switch Life On, which aims to encourage everyone to get their hearing tested regularly for free.find your nearest centre by visiting hiddenhearing.co.uk

TV GP Dr Hilary Jones says: “We know hearing loss has links to dementia, but simple things like taking a hearing test and using hearing aids could help people keep their brain sharp.

“A new study has revealed that wearing a hearing aid may boost brain function, improving aspects of memory and attention in h older people. More resea being done to see if it can r the risk of dementia.”

A study by the US National L of Medicine National Instit Health found individuals w the sauna four to seven ti week are 66 per cent less lik develop dementia and 65 pe less likely to get Alzheimer’s.

This is thought to be bec sauna can lower blood pressu improve heart health.

Only Finnish sauna bathin been linked to these benefits, because of the high temper (around 80-110C) and the fact s are part of everyday life in Finl