The brain or the cerebrum is the part of the central nervous system located inside the skull. It controls many functions of the body, such as heartbeat, walking, coordination, generation of thoughts and emotions, etc. In the human brain there are between 85 and 100 billion neurons, each of them with about 10,000 connections.

Being well protected by the skull, the brain can rarely be affected by traumatic injuries, instead, certain habits can have serious repercussions thereto, namely:

Severe lack of sleep can be a cause of dementia, which manifests itself with memory loss, decreased ability to reason and communicate. Even a slight decrease in sleep hours (if we lose 1-2 hours of the 8 hours needed per night) can affect our concentration and memory.

This can have a major impact on professional activities and those related to the daily routine.

Sleep helps the brain to function properly. While we sleep, the brain prepares for the next day, forming new connections with which we can learn and remember various information.

It is best to have a regular schedule also in terms of sleep. To avoid sleep problems, reduce your caffeine and alcohol consumption as well as the use of electronics in the evening

People are made for social contact, which creates real feelings of connection. People who have friends and we are not talking about friends on social networks, even few, but close, are happier and more productive.

Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with accelerating cognitive decline in people, while tight social ties helping maintain mental health, scientists say.

Studies in the field show that mental stimulation (which can also be achieved through socialization) helps prevent and slow down serious diseases – such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, people who socialize in real life are less likely to suffer from brain decline.

The lack of exercise affects not only the physical condition, but also the mental state. Exercise facilitates the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that are associated with positive experiences, pleasure and a better mood. The difference between serotonin and dopamine is related to the way it works, while dopamine allows communication between nerve cells to convey the feeling of satisfaction, pleasure or motivation, serotonin helps the body send messages to nerve cells. Together, they serve different functions, including the control of mood and happiness. Also, lack of movement can predispose to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure - all of which have a connection with the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

A fats walk of 30 minutes, 3-5 times a week helps the brain and body to stay in shape.

The parts of the brain related to learning, memory and mental health are less developed in people whose diet contains hamburgers, fries, chips and excess soft drinks.

Berries, whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables, preserve brain function and prevent mental decline. Too large portions, even in healthy foods, can prevent the brain from building a strong network of connections necessary for thinking and memory.

According to a study in the field of Molecular Psychiatry, researchers found that smokers have thinner cortexes (the cortex is the outer part of the brain that is crucial for cognition). "The cortex is king for wonderful things like mental computing. It is also involved in important functions such as attention and spatial reasoning," says study author Sherif Karama, Ph.D. of McGill University.

So, a thinner cortex, leads to a decrease in consciousness (people with Alzheimer's disease suffer from the thinning of the cortex, among other cognitive problems).

Maximum volume in the headphones can have serious repercussions on hearing and more. Hearing impairment also comes with other brain problems, such as brain tissue loss. This can happen because, when the volume in the headphones is very high, the brain has to work much harder to understand what is being said around it and to store in memory the information heard.

The volume in the headphones should not exceed 60% of the maximum volume of the device and no more than a few hours a day.

Lack of natural light can slow the brain and lead to depression. Dr. Steven Lockley, a neurologist and professor at Harvard Medical School, explained that "Light is an acute stimulant that directly alerts the brain. If we are exposed to natural light during the day, then the stimulating effect will be better. We will be more vigilant and we will have a better cognitive function, we will be more productive.

Exposure to natural light is all the more important at times of the year when the days shorten.