5 Ways To Keep Your Mind Sharp
It’s no secret that as we age, our overall cognitive ability can worsen, leaving us feeling forgetful – and feeling as though your brain is slowing can be incredibly frustrating. Good habits, however, can help maximize your brain health and keep your mind staying sharp.
Take a look at these five tips to improve your cognitive health:
1. Keep Learning
It’s never too late to learn something new! Continuing to grow your knowledge is associated with better mental functioning and is a great way to help improve your memory. Challenging your brain with further information and learning is great stimulation to exercise your mind. Pursuing a new hobby, trying a new skill, mentoring, and volunteering are also great ways to help keep your mind sharp.
2. Play Games
Who doesn’t love a good game to pass the time? There are plenty of games involving strategic thinking, memory, and decision-making that help exercise your brain, such as chess, checkers, word scrabbles, board games, and so much more. Grab a friend or engage alone and get those cognitive juices flowing.
3. Try Using Your Non-Dominant Hand
An interesting way to challenge yourself is by using your non-dominant hand. Whether it’s to write, brush your teeth, or comb your hair, using whichever hand is not the norm for that task gives your brain a challenge and helps expand the circuits that process that hand.
4. Go For a Walk
If you’re looking for an easy way to clear your mind and refocus yourself, try getting out and going for a walk. A simple stroll can help channel any frustration you’re feeling and expel it, helping you feel refreshed. If you go on regular walks, switch up your walking and make it exciting by walking backward, sideways, or take a new path to create new circuits in your brain.
5. Stay Organized
Keeping your space and plans organized can help you keep track of and stay focused on important things. Use a day planner or calendar to help you with your schedule and memory. Writing things down also can reinforce the act of learning, allowing you to reread them, too.