The brain is the most complex organ in the body, responsible for regulating multiple bodily functions, processing emotions, and interpreting sensory information. It is also the place where memory, creativity and intelligence begins. Unfortunately, age tends to take a serious toll on this vital organ, resulting in cognitive impairment that affects two out of three Americans by the age of 70. The good news is that there are many activities and exercises you can do to protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and to keep your brain sharp. In this article, we discuss the various ways to engage the brain to boost memory, creativity, cognition and much more.
Meditation
It isn’t just a trend of the younger generations! Meditation is scientifically proven to slow down aging of the brain and to increase the brain’s ability to process information. It’s also an excellent tool for reducing stress, which provides multiple benefits for your mind and body.
Visualization
Taking some time to visualize mental images or animated scenes can help the brain organize and process information, making it easier to make appropriate decisions and even help you get what you want out of life. Various studies have also found that visualization can help improve memory, immune system functioning, and academic performance. You can also use this activity in combination with meditation to get the best of both worlds all at once.
As an added bonus, the law of attraction says that visualization can quite literally give you exactly what you want. So, start imagining those winning lottery numbers!
Socialization
Something as simple as enjoying the company of friends and loved ones can help preserve cognitive function. Studies found that those who are social more frequently are less likely to experience cognitive decline and dementia.
Learn A New Language
Learning a new language increases and strengthens the connections between different parts of the brain. Research has found that it can also improve the connection that plays a role in delaying the potential onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Eat Brain-Boosting Foods
As the saying goes, you are what you eat and having a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and wholegrains and less fat and sugar can help improve your brain health. Specifically, studies found that eating nourishing foods builds new brain cells, sharpens the mind and fights off mental decline.
Learn Words You Aren’t Familiar With
The next time you’re watching a television program or reading a book and come across a word you aren’t familiar with, write it down and look it up in the dictionary when you have time. This simple activity allows you to broaden your personal vocabulary and exercise the brain.
Listen To Music
Turn on your favourite tunes or radio station and allow the music to work wonders for your cognitive health. Studies found that listening to music you enjoy engages and connects several parts of the brain, which can improve cognitive function and your overall sense of wellbeing.
Learn a Musical Instrument
If you are particularly fond of music, consider learning how to play a musical instrument. This activity exercises parts of the brain that are essential for coordination. As a result, it can help protect your brain against age-related cognitive impairment.
Learn New Skills
Speaking of the prior, an excellent way to keep your brain engaged and improve brain function is to continue learning new skills. This is particularly beneficial if the skill you’re learning is cognitively demanding, such as photography, quilting, knitting, drawing, painting, dancing, embroidery, and so on and so forth.
Playing Games
Whether it’s card games, board games or something on your tablet, playing games can be quite beneficial for the brain. In fact, studies found that playing card and board games can help reduce risk of cognitive impairment.
Memory games have also shown to engage the brain and activate areas that are responsible for memory, cognitive skills and socialization.
Not interested in playing card games, board games or memory games? Here are some additional options:
- Crossword puzzles: Playing crossword puzzles is an excellent activity that stimulates the brain and can help delay memory decline.
- Jigsaw puzzles: Completing jigsaw puzzles is also an excellent activity for improving a variety of cognitive functions, including perception, memory and reasoning. Doing jigsaw puzzles regularly throughout your life can also help protect against symptoms associated with aging of the brain.
- Sudoku: Number puzzles can help improve cognitive function in most adults.
- Chess: Engage the brain with a game of chess and you can improve memory, the ability to monitor and adapt behavior to meet goals, and the speed in which you process information.
- Checkers: Playing chess (and other stimulating games) can improve factors commonly associated with people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Video games: Whether it’s an action video, a puzzle on your tablet or a strategy video game, playing them can improve attention, problem solving, and cognitive flexibility.
Be On Top Of Your Health Conditions
There’s no denying that this tip has a plethora of advantages. In terms of brain health, there are various health conditions that can affect how your brain functions – from high blood pressure and diabetes to depression and hypothyroidism. So, don’t skip out on those doctor visits, follow your healthcare provider’s advice carefully and take the medication that has been prescribed to you.
Play a Physically and Mentally Demanding Sport
Sports that are physically and mentally demanding often require sustained attention, multitasking, planning and the ability to quickly adapt to changing situations. These are all things that can help improve attention and encourage faster information processing. Some examples of sports you can take up include tennis, martial arts, golf, and swimming.
Take a Dance Class
Dance is an excellent form of exercise for brain health, as it engages areas that are key for rhythmic balance. It can also help improve memory, planning skills and organization. This tip for improving brain health also ticks off ‘learning a new skill’ for added benefits. So, sign up for that dance class you’ve always wanted to take.
Get Some Sleep
35% of adults get less than the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night, according to studies. Furthermore, 70% of adults report having at least one night every month where they don’t obtain sufficient sleep. However, sleep is absolutely maintaining your cognitive and physical health. By prioritizing your sleep, you can increase memory recall, decrease mental fatigue and regulate metabolism.
Take Up Tai Chi
Tai-what? Tai chi is a form of exercise that consists of performing gentle body movements in combination with rhythmic breathing and meditation. As such, it’s perfect for people of all ages and when it comes to brain health, it can enhance the connections between areas of the brain responsible for improving cognition and decreasing memory loss.
You can also check out natural programs like The Brain Booster.
Don’t let age creep up on you and your brain health. Completing fun and engaging activities can help prevent cognitive impairment and improve your overall quality of life. And now, you have a comprehensive list to give you plenty of ideas the next time you find yourself bored – or better yet, experiencing memory loss.
