3 Challenges That Keep Your Mind Young and Healthy
By Genevieve Cunningham
The body changes as we get older. We all know that. And as the years go by, we all feel that as well. We feel the aches and pains, the loss of strength, and the other typical problems that come with age. But what about the mind? We don't like to think about mental changes that occur with age, but they happen. And they happen a lot younger than we think. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep the mind strong, youthful, and happy. If you would like to start protecting your mind now -- and you should! -- take a look at these three fun challenges that keep your mind and your life moving in the right direction.
Learn an Instrument
Learning an instrument takes time, patience, and a lot of concentration. It's tough, but it has big rewards. When you learn to play an instrument, you're adding music and fun to your life, and it's something you can do for the rest of your life. As an additional benefit, learning an instrument is a mental challenge. It requires you to expand your way of thinking, practice memory and recall, and can even enhance creativity. If you really want to keep the mind healthy, choosing to learn an instrument can bring benefits to the mind and benefits to your life as a whole at the same time.
Learn a Language
Learning a language is definitely a challenge. For most, it's even more challenging than learning an instrument. But the payoff is really big. Learning a language introduces you to a whole new world. New people, new ideas, new beliefs. For the mind, learning a language forces you to listen, interpret, and learn new structures and patterns. It's a truly difficult challenge, but being bilingual can improve your work opportunities, friendships, and more. If you want to keep the mind healthy while also building skills for your own future, learning a language is a good place to begin.
Play Lots of Games
We start playing games when we're kids. As we get older, the games change. We go from hide and seek to sports of some kind. Or maybe we go from board games to card games. But oftentimes, we give up the play aspect altogether. Why? Playing is one of the best ways to keep the brain engaged, and it's a great opportunity to connect with others as well. Consider adding games back into your life to keep your mind healthy. Play games with family and friends. Join a community game night. Start with crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles. Make your mental health fun, and you'll be more likely to stick with it for the rest of your life.
Though aging is normal and natural, we want to make sure that we age well. While that definitely includes the body, perhaps the most important part of all is the mind. Use these fun ideas to keep your mind young and healthy, and enjoy each stage of life as it comes.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orange, Calif.