Cerebral blood flow refers to the amount of blood that reaches your brain. If your brain doesn’t get enough blood, you might feel tired or have trouble thinking clearly. Luckily, there are natural ways to increase the blood flow to your brain. This helps in keeping your mind sharp and energized.

Here are seven ways to do it without using any special medical treatments or medications.

Ways to Increase Cerebral Blood Flow Naturally

1. Stay Active

You know that exercise is good for your body, but it’s also good for your brain. When you exercise, your heart pumps more blood, and more of it reaches your brain. So get moving! Go for a walk, ride a bike or dance. Any activity that gets your heart pumping can help increase blood flow to your brain.

2. Eat Foods Rich in Flavonoids

Eating foods like blueberries, spinach, onions, hot peppers, kale, tomatoes, and nuts is great for your brain. They contain substances called flavonoids that keep your blood vessels healthy. According to Dr. Anita Iroko, a general practitioner, “Flavonoids can promote blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory and other cognitive functions.”

3. Stay Hydrated

You might not think about it, but drinking water helps your blood flow smoothly. When you’re thirsty, your blood can become thick, and it doesn’t flow as easily. So, make sure you drink enough water every day to keep your brain happy and hydrated.

4. Manage Stress

Stress can tighten your blood vessels, which makes it harder for blood to get to your brain. But don’t worry! You can practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to calm down. When you feel relaxed, your blood vessels open up, and more blood can reach your brain.

5. Get Enough Sleep

When you sleep, your brain repairs itself, and one way it does that is through blood flow. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your brain might not be getting all the blood it needs. So make sure to catch enough Z’s to give your brain the blood it needs to stay healthy.

6. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol

You probably know that smoking and drinking too much alcohol aren’t good for your health. Well, they aren’t good for your brain, either. These habits can damage your blood vessels, which slows down the blood flow to your brain. If you want to keep your mind sharp, it’s a good idea to avoid or limit these things.

7. Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure

“High blood pressure can make it harder for blood to reach your brain,” says Dr. Iroko. If you have high blood pressure, you should talk to your doctor about how to manage it. Eating healthy and staying active are usually great ways to help keep your blood pressure in check.