The brain is a powerful part of your body. It has multiple essential functions from creating ways to express your emotions and thoughts, coordinating movement to storing precious memories.
However, brains change with age, which means that mental function changes too. There is a gut brain connection. Mental decline is a common consequence of aging. Luckily, there are a few ways to keep your brain active.
Plenty of Quality Sleep
Sleep is the most important thing you can do to reset the mind, give it time to heal, and restore your mental health. You should sleep for about 7-9 hours a night. New research has revealed that during sleep, the brain clears out toxins known as beta-amyloids that lead to Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
Take a hot shower before going to bed to ensure that you have some quality sleep. A hot shower helps to regulate your body’s temperature so that you can fall asleep faster.
Also, consider staying away from your electronic devices for at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Spending some time meditating can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Meditating will help you to fall asleep faster.
Develop a Hobby
Doing something that you love, such as painting or dancing, helps keep your brain active for a long time. For instance, learning how to play a musical instrument is one of the most effective ways to keep your mind busy. Fortunately, you can take up music lessons conducted at the home, studio, or online. Check out places like LVL Music Academy to get music lessons that will stimulate your brain to grow through neuroplasticity.
Physical Exercise
Multiple studies have explained the importance of physical exercise. Regular exercise can help increase the number of tiny blood vessels that take oxygen-rich blood to the part of the brain responsible for thought.
Exercise also stimulates the development of new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain synapses. The result is a more efficient and adaptive mind, leading to improved performance, especially among the aging.
Working out is also known to lower blood pressure, reduce mental stress, regulate blood sugar, and improve cholesterol, helping your heart and the brain.
Eat Healthily
Most people already know that consuming healthy and balanced meals is one of the essential habits to follow to remain healthy. A healthy diet can prevent numerous diseases.
The consumption of nutritious and healthy foods helps to keep the brain well-nourished and active. Specifically, the brain requires omega-3 fatty acids to stay healthy and active. Foods such as fish, avocado, ghee, and coconut are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. They are ideal for maintaining the health of your brain for a long time.
Be Social
Instead of spending a lot of time alone watching Netflix or scrolling through social media, spend as much time with your friend. Research has shown that when you’re socializing, blood circulates to different parts of your brain because you listen, and formulate responses.
When you are spending time with your friends, you are less likely to get depressed too. Depression can change how your brain works, which explains why depressed/anxious people can be continuously filled with worry. The more you socialize, the more you’ll have new experiences, which will help keep your brain-cells active for a longer time.
Bottom Line
It’s crucial to balance keeping active, socializing, trying new things, and eating healthy to keep your brain active and healthy. Challenge your brain into growth by trying helpful cognitive enhancement games or hobbies to build memorization. This will help you maintain the good health of your brain even in old age.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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