How to Keep Your Brain Sharp At Any Age

Most of us believe that age-related mental decline is just something we have to accept as we get older. Thankfully, that’s not the case. With a little dedication, there are several prevention steps you can take to keep your brain sharp at any age.

Here are some tips to keep the noggin feeling young and fresh.

1.    Hit the gym—Many scientists believe physical exercise is the single most important factor to maintaining your mental health. This is because exercise stimulates blood flow to the brain; proper circulation is key to keeping your mind stimulated and operating at its full potential. Exercise can even promote cell growth in the brain, and it keeps you alert.

2.    Challenge your mind—Just because you’re no longer in school doesn’t mean you should stop learning. The second you stop challenging your brain is the second you start the mental decline process. Challenge your mind by learning a new language, reading books regularly, or even learning how to play a musical instrument. Think of this as exercise for your brain. Routine brain exercise leads to a stronger, healthier mind.

3.    Be a healthy eater—Eating junk food doesn’t just make you physically unhealthy, it hampers your mental function too. A diet rich in brain foods will give your mind the nutrients it needs to develop properly and to fight off age-related mental decline. A few good brain foods are blueberries, broccoli, coffee, and avocados.

4.    Manage your stress—Did you know stress can actually damage healthy brain cells? Not only that, when you’re stressed, you can’t focus as well as you normally can. Furthermore, stress unchecked can turn to depression and other serious health issues.

5.    Get plenty of rest—For your brain to function properly, it needs to get “recharged” every night. If you don’t get enough sleep, your brain will lack sharpness. That being said, make sure you don’t oversleep as too much sleep can be just as harmful.

6.    Don’t be a loner—Having friends is important for several reasons. First, the verbal interaction is essential to keeping your mind sharp. Communication causes you to think and solve problems on your feet. Furthermore, having a strong group of friends helps prevent depression, a common mental health issue.

7.    Mix up your daily routine—Doing the same exact thing day in and day out not only gets boring, but it also allows your brain to go on autopilot. Mix things up. Drive a different route to work. Find a new extracurricular activity to take up. Switching things up will keep your mind active and sharp.

What do you do to keep your mind sharp? Share your favorite tips with us in the replies.