Women’s Brain Health

Hello! Welcome back to the Center Street Psychology blog. If you haven’t been here before, check out some of our past blogs on topics such as grief during the holidays and mental health supports for different populations. This week, since December 2 is Women’s Brain Health Awareness Day, it seemed fitting to discuss what brain health is and how it affects women specifically.

 So, what do we mean when we talk about brain health? We’re talking about the things women can do to help maintain healthy brains and avoid developing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.. Women account for 70% of all cases of Alzheimer’s, and while there is no cure for this disease, adopting brain-healthy habits can greatly reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life, or delaying the progression of the disease once it has been diagnosed, by about 40%. There are six pillars of brain health, which are: regular exercise, a nutritious diet, good sleep, social engagement, mental stimulation, and stress management. Some of these things might not seem to relate directly to brain health, but if you look a little deeper there is research that supports these pillars. For example, studies have shown that individuals who get less than six hours of sleep consistently are at a higher risk of developing dementia, or that when minds are kept active through things like crossword puzzles, games, or listening to music, chances of developing dementia decrease.

Brain health isn’t just about aging diseases, although that is an important component. Women are also more likely than men to experience depression and anxiety, among other mental health diagnosis. Although women have a lower incidence of stroke, they are more likely than men to die as a result or face more challenging outcomes. Women are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis four times as much as men and women typically experience symptoms of MS up to five years earlier than men.

What resources are there?

The Women’s Brain Health Initiative website has information, blogs, videos, and an app to help track brain health: https://womensbrainhealth.org/

You are not alone, please reach out to us at Center Street Psychology, as we provide uniquely tailored therapeutic plans and interventions and are equipped to support women, individuals and families impacted by brain health. We are an inclusive clinic, located in Calgary, Alberta that provides in-person and virtual psychological services across Canada in the evenings and weekends. Please text or call 403-399-5120 to talk to our Director of Client Care, Amy, who will guide you through the intake process.

 Written by: Lindsay Mcnena