As we get older, we learn so many new things everyday through studying, work and everyday experiences. Of course we want to keep all of that new information fresh in our brain, but we understand that life can get busy and forgetfulness is normal. There are always ways to sharpen our minds and get on track to being healthy not only physically, but mentally as well.
Get some exercise
Simply taking a walk around the building during your lunch break or choosing the faraway parking spot at the mall are great ways to incorporate small amounts of exercise into your day. And while you'll be exercising your body, you'll be exercising your mind as well. When you exercise, you're sending oxygen to your brain. According to Discovery Channel, your mind depends on energy received through a constant intake of oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream. Without those nutrients, the ability for the brain to perform at its best is diminished. And for an added bonus, it's a great immunity booster!
Take a supplement
Starting off your day with a memory supplement like Naturade MemorAid may be a great way to sharpen your mind and even defend against normal age-related decline. This supplement contains phosphatidylserine, which is naturally found in your brain and is involved in membrane fluidity and rejuvenation.
Switch the station
According to Fox News, simply altering the way you wake up may work to improve cognitive function. Try setting your alarm clock to a new radio station or a new song. We get so used to the same sounds upon waking up. However, unfamiliar sounds wake up your brain in a different way than your normal routine does.
Reorganize
A task as simple as re-organizing your closet can spark a different part of the brain. According to Refinery 29, when you redo your home and think in terms of color and patterns, you're using the posterior part of the brain versus the frontal area.
Play around
Refinery 29 suggested picking up your iPhone to play word games such as Words With Friends. Games like these may enhance your mind and even increase your everyday vocabulary!
Close your eyes
Instead of getting dressed in the morning with your eyes open, Fox News suggests switching things up a bit by putting them on blindly. Manning Rubin, co-author of "Keep Your Brain Alive" explained that if you blunt one of your senses, the others work harder, which may help to strengthen the brain. Just remember to pick out your clothes the night before!
Use your non-dominant hand
Next time you sit down to dinner or head to the bathroom to brush your teeth, try using your non-dominant hand. A bit more difficult, right? Well, using the hand that you're not so used to using can challenge your brain to exercise nerve cells on the side that you don't typically use.
Stay away from grease
Turns out, a diet high in fat may be linked to decreased brain function. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, rats that snacked on foods packed with saturated fats and performed worse on memory tests than those rats who did not. Stick to a healthy diet filled with fruits, veggies and whole grains and indulge only once in awhile.
