Eat smart
You are what you eat – so ensure that you’re filling your body with nourishing, wholesome foods. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains are all great for your brain, helping to boost concentration and prevent memory loss. Try and include some protein in your evening meal – proteins contain amino acids that help to regulate your mood.
Keep learning
You’re never to old to learn something new. Whether it’s a new skill, new information, or new things about yourself, the key to staying mentally active is to never let your mind get complacent. As your brain becomes accustomed to your routine, it’s important to constantly feed it new information to keep your mind sharp.
Exercise
Our bodies and our minds are intertwined, with both impacting the other. Regular physical activity promotes blood flow across the whole body, including to the brain, helping to boost your memory function. Around 150 minutes of moderate activity is recommended per week to help both your body and your mind reach their full potential.
Take up a new hobby
It’s important to make some time for rest and relaxation. Treat your mind to a new hobby – not only will it get you out of your usual mundane routine, but it’ll also feed your brain with lots of juicy new information to consume. Whether it’s joining a pottery class, a painting group, or a book club – do whatever makes your heart soar!
Practice meditation
Meditation has many positive effects on the mind. Taking out some time to quiet the chatter in your head and to connect with your inner soul just a few times a week will have untold benefits for your mentality, enabling you to stay grounded, positive, and mentally aware.
Stay social
Humans are social creatures. As we age, we tend to become more isolated, separating ourselves away from the world. Studies show that staying social can help keep our minds sharp, helping us to hone our critical thinking skills. Participating in meaningful social activities has also been proven to slow down cognitive decline – so get out there and make some friends!
Be present
It’s all too easy to get swallowed up by your thoughts, constantly thinking of the next task you need to tick off your to-do list. This can be a slippery slope, eventually leading to mental decline. Instead, ensure you’re as present as possible throughout the day – truly enjoy your food, be mindful during mundane tasks, and deeply connect with your loved ones as often as possible.
Reduce screen time
It’s no secret that too much time spent on our phones is bad for our brains. Staring at a screen day in, day out overloads our brain’s sensory system, leading to severely depleted mental reserves. Set up alerts on your phone, making you aware of just how much of your life you’re spending looking at a screen.
Complete puzzles
Puzzles are a great way to keep your brain ticking, promoting healthy cognitive function. If jigsaws aren’t your cup of tea, try word searches, crosswords, or Scrabble. Not only do they help to increase positive mental activity, but they’re also a great way to connect with your friends and family.
Sleep well
Sleep is vitally important across every aspect of our lives. Too much sleep, we’ll feel groggy and disorientated. Too little, we’ll have next to no mental capacity, struggling to do the simplest tasks. Ensure you get around seven or eight hours of deep sleep a night – your brain will thank you for the much-needed rest.