It’s easy to pass disease prevention off as a chore to do later in life. The truth is, diseases such as Alzheimer’s can take root early on with a combination of bad habits and willful ignorance.

In order to have the best chance at a long and healthy life, prevention from an early age is key. This doesn’t have to be a drastic shift. Small changes in your everyday habits can have a huge impact on your health and lifestyle. Down the line, you’ll be much better off than if you decided to avoid disease prevention all together.

I’m going to share 5 things you can do while you’re young to help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, and the reasons why you shouldn’t wait to implement them.

Be aware

Simply being aware of the disease may seem obvious, but it is an extremely important first step towards prevention. 

Having the knowledge of what contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease from a young age will aid your decisions and lifestyle choices, even from a subconscious level! In this case, ignorance most certainly is not bliss. 

Cut out the bad stuff

If you have any harmful addictions, it’s crucial to end those habits as early as possible. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, medications, or overeating, these habits not only cause a decline in your physical health, but have been shown to have negative effects on your mental health as well. 

Our mental well being and brain health is worth so much more than what these addictions can offer us. If you’re serious about Alzheimer’s prevention, it’s so important to do your part in cutting out the bad stuff from your daily habits. A little at a time is leaps and bounds better than not doing anything!

Quit meat

Although it may be tough to hear, meat consumption has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as cardiovascular disease. 

It’s important to cut back on meat consumption as early as possible. Quitting “cold turkey” may be difficult if you’re used to having meat every day (or every meal!), but a gradual reduction is also beneficial. 

Try limiting your meat consumption to once a day, once a week, or only on special occasions. 

Increase exercise 

Daily movement is another essential habit that helps disease prevention. Not only does it improve our physical fitness, but it also helps decrease stress levels and improve our mental well being. 

If you work a full time desk job, it’s important to incorporate standing or walking time throughout your day. Sitting for an extended period of time has been shown to strongly decrease the effects of exercise, despite how hard you push yourself in that brief period of time. 

Alternatively, opting for a standing desk or going on daily lunchtime walks will also work for increasing movement.

Sleep more

For those with irregular sleep schedules or suffer from a lack of sleep, this is probably the most important change you can make early on to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease!

Ensuring you’re receiving high quality sleep each night will also improve your cognitive function. Not only will adequate sleep improve your day to day life, but it will set you up for a healthy future.

For those who struggle with sleep due to shift work or a stressful lifestyle, different techniques can help  regulate your sleep patterns and give you the best chance at falling asleep at a regular time. You may like to try blackout curtains, sleep masks, white noise, or ear plugs to find the best sleep recipe for yourself!

By implementing these 5 things early on, you’ll be developing healthy habits that will help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. Not only will they help in disease prevention, but they will also allow you to live your healthiest and fullest life now. 

Are there any other disease prevention tips or healthy habits you gravitate towards? Let me know in the comments below!

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