Change is a part of life, but there are things you can do to safeguard your wellness as you age. Exploring how to keep your mind sharp can help you discover strategies that are often both fun and effective.
Think Positive
Seniors are surrounded by stereotypes of older adults who stumble through increasingly troublesome “senior moments” until dementia sets in. In reality, dementia isn’t a normal part of aging. It’s a health problem that impacts a limited number of older adults. Many seniors remain mentally sharp and energetic throughout their lives. However, the way you think matters. Think positively because it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Seniors who expect to slip are less likely to work to maintain their mental edge. Those who expect to stay sharp are more likely to naturally incorporate the strategies that can help their brains stay healthy.
Get Enough Sleep
The full purpose of sleep isn’t totally understood, but many experts believe that it’s a time when the brain cleans house. It uses these hours to not only support learning and memory but also clear away waste products from the brain’s tissues. These activities are vital for prime functioning of the mind.
Manage Your Health
As Henry Ford Health points out, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid issues, depression, and other health conditions can all impact your brain health. In addition, various medications and combinations of medications can affect your brain or thinking. Being proactive about your healthcare, following directions, taking medications as prescribed, reporting issues promptly, and establishing strong working relationships with your doctors and pharmacist are excellent ways to protect your mental capabilities.
Stay Active
As WebMD reports, working up a sweat can build mental muscle. Experts believe it may help brain health by improving links between brain cells and boosting blood flow to the brain. As a result, people who stay active are likely to enjoy improvements in their ability to plan tasks, their memory, and their imagination.
Keep Learning
Lifelong learners who continually challenge themselves to learn new things keep their brains active. Try your hand at a new language. Learn to play an instrument. Dive deeper into a favorite hobby. Tour a museum to learn more about a subject that interests you. Take advantage of free classes at a local university or online. There are countless ways to indulge your interests.
Mix Things Up
Neurobics are exercises that push your brain to think in new ways by enlisting the five senses, and they’re a natural addition to any list of how to keep your mind sharp. Most aren’t complicated. They simply challenge you to do a normal task in an unconventional way. For example, take a different route to the store. Or, try writing with your nondominant hand.
Eat with Nutrition in Mind
Foods with the right mix of nutrients give your body the building blocks it needs to run smoothly and conduct repairs. In contrast, unhealthy foods negatively impact functions, making it more difficult for your body.
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Learning how to keep your mind sharp is a common concern among older adults. Fortunately, this is a challenge where you can easily take actions that make a positive difference. If you’re motivated to keep your mind active, there are plenty of fun strategies to embark on. In addition, many of the same steps that people take to safeguard their overall health can also benefit their brain health.
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