How to Keep Your Brain Young and Active
By Genevieve Cunningham
Though growing old is definitely a privilege, it’s also a tough process. We gain new pains, lose some range of motion, forget faster, and tire more quickly. While there’s little we can do to completely stop the process of aging, there may be some things that we can do to slow it down and feel better longer … especially when it comes to our mental health. Keeping the brain young and fit is a good goal to keep. After all, it’s our brains that really make us who we are. If you’d like to prolong your brain’s health and stay sharp no matter your age, take a look at this advice that comes from senior citizens who have already done it.
Exercise
Recent studies have shown that exercise engages a part of the brain that is attached to memory. As we exercise, this part of the brain thickens, keeping it stronger and healthier. So with physical exercise, you’re also literally working your brain “muscle.” Since exercise also helps to keep your body younger and more fit, fitting in regular workouts is seriously a win-win situation.
Get More Sleep
You simply have to have sleep. We tend to think that we can do without it, but that’s just not true. Sleep allows both our bodies and minds to rest and rejuvenate. When we don’t get enough, we’re doing significant damage to our long-term health. Shoot for a solid eight hours a night, but if that’s not possible, don’t be afraid to schedule a nap in the middle of the day to get the rest that you need.
Take on Challenges
While brain puzzles and riddles are great for the brain, you can do so much more than that! It doesn’t matter if you’re 20, 40, or 80, take on something challenging and tackle it with tenacity. Learn a new language, tackle a new skill, or get a challenging project in your life. This keeps your brain active, which leaves little time for things like forgetting or wasting. Plus, learning new things is a ton of fun.
Maintaining the health of your brain as you age is crucial for your long-term well-being. And isn’t it nice to know that it’s actually possible? Use these tips to engage and challenge your brain. The more sharp you feel, the more active a lifestyle you’re going to lead, and the happier your quality of life will be for a lifetime.