Neurologists see these 8 brain health mistakes almost every day, and many people don't realise they're making them - The Times of India

What the report says

The Times of India, in a July 25, 2026 health feature by Aadya Jha, reported on common lifestyle patterns neurologists say they frequently see among patients worried about memory lapses, poor concentration, word-finding trouble and “brain fog.” The article quotes Dr Prof. Suryanarayana Sharma P M, senior consultant neurologist and stroke specialist at Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, who said many such concerns are shaped by habits built up over years rather than sudden changes.

The report frames the issue around eight brain-health mistakes, with the available text detailing several: routinely sacrificing sleep, treating exercise as only a heart or weight issue, eating heavily processed or high-sugar foods, failing to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, dismissing hearing loss, and allowing chronic stress to go unmanaged. It also begins a section on social withdrawal, noting that interaction with others engages multiple brain systems.

According to the article, Dr Sharma emphasized that deep sleep supports the brain’s waste-clearing processes, while physical activity improves blood flow and supports brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein linked to neuron health. The report also says uncontrolled midlife cardiovascular risks can damage small brain vessels silently, and that untreated hearing problems may increase cognitive strain.

The practical message is preventive: regular sleep schedules, daily movement, less processed food, routine health checks, hearing assessment when needed, stress management and social connection may all support long-term cognitive health. The article presents these as modifiable habits, while readers with persistent or worsening symptoms should seek individualized medical advice.