Protecting your head from injury is an important part of brain health at any age. Head injuries, including concussions, can affect many functions of the brain, including how you think and move, and your emotions. Head injuries can also affect your future thinking and cognition.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when the head is bumped or jolted in a way that changes how the brain normally works. TBI most commonly occurs when the head is directly impacted, such as during a motor vehicle incident, sports, falls or assaults. TBI can raise dementia risk by making the brain more vulnerable after an injury or by increasing the chances of other health problems like heart disease. While accidents may happen, there are things we can do to protect our heads and therefore, our brains.

How can you protect your head?

There are several ways to protect your head from injury beginning in early childhood and into later adulthood, whether you are participating in a sport or another form of physical activity or going about your daily routine.

Wear a helmet and seatbelt

• Wear a helmet during activities like riding a bike or scooter, skating and skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding, and some group contact sports like football and hockey.

• Make sure helmets meet the appropriate safety standards and fit correctly.

• Always wear a seatbelt when you are in a vehicle. Make sure children are in appropriate car seats or booster seats.

Prevent falls

• Wear proper footwear and remove trip hazards like cords, clutter and loose rugs to limit the risk of falling at home and at work.

• Use good lighting throughout your house, especially in hallways, bathrooms and stairways.

• When doing home projects, keep safety in mind. Use ladders correctly or use an expert, if possible, for window washing or gutter cleaning.

• Put commonly used items on lower shelves so you don’t need a step stool to access them.

• Have your vision checked regularly and use glasses or contact lenses that correct for changes.

Don’t ignore a head injury. Talk with a health care provider right away for treatment.

• Symptoms of a possible head injury may include unconsciousness, headache, vomiting, inability to recall the cause of injury, dizziness, confusion, difficulty remembering new information, trouble speaking clearly, sensitivity to light and/or sound and problems with vision or hearing.
• Pay attention to your body and advocate for yourself to a health care provider if you experience any lingering symptoms after a possible head injury.

More ways to protect brain health

• Other habits that can support these areas of health, like eating a brain-healthy diet and getting physical exercise, can also protect brain health.
• Learn more about other 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain.
• Take the (re)think your brain 6-Step Challenge.