Every once in a while we find ourselves going through a forgetful phase. You misplace your keys or can’t seem to find that matching sock. You confuse appointments on your calendar or simply miss an event all together. Sometimes these phases are stress induced – you’re stretched too thin – and it’s tough to keep it all in check, but some of it simply has to do with the aging process. When things get hectic or you’re forgetting more than usual, it’s more important than ever to take the steps necessary to keep your mind sharp. Just like keeping your body in tip top shape, your brain needs exercise too if you want it to operate at peak performance. From a combo of body and mind self-care to exercises designed specifically for the brain, here’s a roundup of things you can do every day to keep your mind sharp.
Things You Can Do Every Day to Keep Your Mind Sharp
- Work on learning a new language. From the expanded vocabulary to the memory challenge, this one will keep your brain working hard.
- Challenge yourself with math problems – in your head! No more figuring out the tip on the back of the dinner check – make yourself do the math in your mind.
- Learn to cook something new. This will challenge all the senses and the mind. From following a tough recipe to developing a new taste.
- Pick up a new sport or challenge your body with a new athletic activity. Body and mind comes into play here when you have to learn something new, get through the challenge and test the limits of your body all at once.
- Play an instrument or learn to play one. Challenging your listening skills is essential for keeping the mind on point.
- Eat a healthy diet packed with brain foods such as leafy greens and fatty fish like salmon or mackerel.
- Draw maps and other visual depictions of things you try to explain. This will help challenge that part of the brain that helps convert words to visuals.
- Skip the smoking entirely and cut back on the cocktails. Having an occasional cocktail is no problem, but moderation really is the name of the game.
- Keep your heart pumping with daily exercise like a jog in the park or a brisk walk.
- Take up a hobby that requires some hand-eye coordination or challenges your fine motor skills in some way. Knitting, needlepoint, model building, painting, sculpting – all great options.
Have you found yourself being a bit more forgetful lately? What are you doing to make sure you’re keeping your mind and body on point?
