The brain is a muscle too!

With all the focus on the body, it’s easy to lose sight of keeping the brain healthy.  One of the things that researchers have learned about the brain is that it must be kept active over a lifetime to stay as sharp as possible.  If you’ve looking for new ways to stimulate your mind, there are plenty of things to try!

 

LEARN A NEW SKILL

 

One of the best ways to exercise your brain muscle is to challenge it with new things.  Learning a new skill is a fantastic way to give your brain a serious workout.

 

In your brain, there are millions of tiny neurons that make connections whenever you learn something new.  The more you repeat that activity, the more your brain becomes accustomed to it, and you gain the ability to go on autopilot, so to speak.  Think of when you learned to type on a keyboard, or how to ride a bike.  These are skills that you don’t have to think of step-by-step anymore, although at one time you most likely did.

 

If you don’t vary your activities, your brain doesn’t have an opportunity to forge new connections.  Combat this by taking up a musical instrument, painting, a new athletic skill, or even mental games like crossword puzzles.

 

EAT THE RIGHT FOODS

 

It almost goes without saying:  eat lots of fruits and vegetables to be sure you’re feeding your brain the nutrients it needs.  Be sure to eat lots of fish to get all your omega-3 fatty acids, and consider a multi-vitamin.

 

PICK UP THE CONTROLLER

 

That’s right; video games can be helpful to your brain health.  Choosing games that require quick thinking and problem solving really can give your mind a workout.  Even Halo requires strategic thinking.  Now, don’t go overboard, but don’t worry if you like to unwind with a little gameplay.

 

GET IN THE POOL

 

While all sports that get the body moving are valuable, running and swimming seem to be particularly stimulating to the brain.  When you’re planning your workout regimen, be sure to make time for these invigorating activities.

 

VISUALIZE YOUR WORLD

 

You may or may not be a visual learner at heart, but visualization can be great for good brain health.  You can improve spatial skills and reasoning by purposefully visualizing your ideas and your goals.  There is also evidence that this can help improve your memory as well.  Go ahead, close your eyes, and give it a try!