Different Ways To Keep Your Brain In Good Shape
Arguably the single most important organ in your body is the brain. This bundle of neurons is crucial for every single aspect of your life but, unfortunately, it stops growing after a certain period. Studies have shown that over the long-term brain activity and functions tend to slow down due to natural ageing factors and lack of stimulation.
This is why it is important to constantly keep challenging your brain to maintain mental abilities that you take for granted in your youth. Gradually cognitive decline is not inevitable and can be avoided by some simple mental exercises every now and then. In fact, the older you are the more important mental exercises become as compared to traditional physical exercises.
Here are a few ways in which you can keep your grey cells working in top-notch condition forever.
Exercise
Both physical and mental exercises have profound effects on the mind. Not only does a brisk walk or swim help you maintain your body but it also helps with cognitive functions. Regular outdoor exercise is great for you.
Then there are mental exercises. Taking quizzes and tests online, playing poker or chess and simply solving a puzzle could help you stay sharp forever. Make lists of things you need to remember and test yourself again at the end of reading the list. Mentally calculating stuff also helps, there is no better brain game then solving a math problem every once in a while.
Try Something New
Sign up for something you always wanted to learn but never had the time for. Learn a new sport, travel someplace new, cook a different sort of cuisine. New information is a great stimulus for the brain and pushing your brain to do stuff it’s never done before will help you maintain its abilities. Learning another language is best because you have to immerse yourself in a completely foreign culture.
Eat Better
Eating better will help you no matter what your age. It is one of the most simple rules of living a longer, more happier life. Lean meat, fish, salads, vegetables and fruits will all help maintain brain functions. There are also some brain boosting compounds called nootropics which can help you increase concentration and blood flow to the brain.
Take a holistic approach to taking care of your body and you will never have to worry about living in poor shape.
Learn to play an instrument
Learning to play a musical instrument has a lot of benefits for your brain that are yet to be fully explained by science. While it is true that learning a new instrument requires focus and memory which may boost brain health, there have been a few studies that have established the link between simply listening to music and increased mental abilities. Learning a new instrument will not only give you a new skill, it will allow you to create music that can have a profound effect on your mental well being.
Music has the ability to change your mood, make you happier, improve focus and reduce stress. All of these are great when you want to achieve higher cognitive performance.
