According to studies, people will always generate new brain cells all throughout its life. In fact, the more mental a person is, there is a higher chance of experiencing age-related cognitive decline. In order to prevent, or at least slow down the decline of brain’s cognitive ability, every person must learn how to challenge it, no matter what age group you belong.
Below are some exercises which you can employ to help keep your mind fit.
Challenge your Brain
Any activities that challenge your brain on different levels provide great stimulation. Choose games that that will tickle your logic, word and math skills, strategies & techniques and memory. You may play Sudoku, chess or crossword puzzles, learn a new musical instrument, study a new language, and the list goes on. It doesn’t matter whether you play games for 15 or 50 minutes as long as you try doing brain fitness programs every day.
Read Books
Instead of watching television, reading books can greatly help your brain’s mental activity. But instead of reading the favorites and familiar topics, try to branch out from the usual. If you like books written by contemporary authors, try reading the classic ones. If you like English writers, try reading the works of foreign authors. You’ll be surprised with how much information you can get from reading something out of your comfort zone.
Learn a New Skill
When you make use of your skill, multiple areas of your brain are being utilized. More so when you learn a new one. It doesn’t matter whether it’s learning how to cook or writing short stories or studying HTML codes. The important thing is that your memory is functioning, new movements are learned and at the same time, you challenge your brain and give something it can work on.
Change your Routines
Some people are afraid of changes. There are also many others who like it how things are being done everyday. In order to keep your mind fit, learn to change some of your routines and engage different parts of your brain when doing a familiar task. Brushing your teeth using your non-dominant hand or changing your everyday route on your way to work can make a lot of difference.
Get Physical
Exercising not only keeps your body fit and healthy but also your mind and brain. When you do physical activities such as walking or running, it can improve blood flow to your brain which eventually boosts neural growth factors and brain connectivity. It also programs your brain to learn muscle skills and practice balance.
Both the mind and body should be healthy. Although brain aging may be inevitable, employing these brain exercises can definitely slow down cognitive decline while improving your overall health.
