Part 2 of 2
A lot of times our brain can go on autopilot. As creatures of habit, we tend to complete the same routine on a daily basis – get up, get dressed, go to work. Then, by the time we get home, we are usually tired we tend to zone out in front of the TV.
It is important to keep your mind active because a well-stimulated brain not only improves your mood, but it also keeps you healthy and can reduce your risk for cognitive disorders.
Just like you keep your body healthy and active, you must do the same for your brain. This does not mean you have to do something drastic like learn a foreign language, but you should focus on a few small things you can practice regularly.
Improving your brain health doesn’t have to be complicated, there are a few easy things you can work into your daily routine to keep your brain sharp.
Today is Part 2 of 2 of our Brain Health blog as we cover managing stress and brain games.
MANAGE STRESS
An important way to improve your brain health is by managing your daily stress by regularly practicing stress-relieving activities. Stress can interfere with cognition, attention, and memory–making you more frantic and forgetful.
Stress not only affects you mentally, but it can also have many physical effects that negatively impact your brain and can cause health problems like heart disease and other cognitive diseases. Keeping your stress in check not only helps your brain, but it will improve your overall health.
- Mediate: Practicing meditation allows you to clear your mind of the daily clutter that consumes it. Regular meditation sessions can increase your concentration and attention, while also relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Sleep: When you sleep, it gives your body and mind a chance to recharge. As you sleep, your brain cleans toxins that build up while you are awake so that you can wake up with a clear mind.
- Hobbies: Picking up a hobby can be great for your brain. You can either learn something new or enhance a skill you already know. Working on a hobby will give your brain something to focus on while learning a new skill.
BRAIN GAMES
A great and fun way to improve your mental functions is by playing a variety of brain games. Training your brain can help increase memory, response time and also improve logic skills.
Playing brain games will increase your mental strength by stimulating your brain with new problems to solve that require a tactful response.
- Puzzles: Completing a puzzle can increase the connections between brain cells and help increase short-term memory. Puzzles work both the logical left side of the brain and the right creative side resulting in a full brain workout.
- Crosswords: Working on a crossword can improve mental cognition and work on your spelling skills. Crosswords are a classic brain game that can be done online or on paper.
- Soduku: This is a number placement game that relies on memory and can be played either on paper or online. Sudoku is great stimulation for the brain and can also be a relaxing activity to help unwind.
Your brain is powerful. But just like any other muscle in your body, if you don’t stimulate it, it’ll deteriorate. Stay active, stay healthy and improve your brain health and stay mentally sharp at any age.
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Source: Mellowed.com