Expert tips to keep our brain active and healthy
By Pramita Uniyal
‘It’s never too late to learn something new’. This adage not only inspires one to stay enthusiastic for life but also practically could keep your brain active and agile as you grow older. The more you make your brain work, the better and longer it will stay healthy and young.
There are also simple everyday things that can keep our brain in top shape and we should never eliminate them from our routine.
Learn a new language or musical instrument
We all work out to stay in shape and something similar is required for your brain too. Let your brain explore an unfamiliar territory by giving it an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and learn something new.
Try to learn a new language or a new musical instrument to keep your brain fit and healthy. Music stimulates the brain and allows people to interact in a variety of ways,
Drawing or painting
Drawing helps in keeping our creative side alive which could at times help us in taking unconventional, life-transformative decisions.
Ability to move and sing
Learning by ‘doing’ is an important aspect of keeping our brains healthy. Learning to dance, sing, and such performance-oriented activities is another way to sharpen our brains.
Be curious
Do not stop asking questions. You are never too old to know something new. Try to be curious, and use metaphors when you are talking.
Regular exercise and active lifestyle
Exercising has a variety of effects on the brain. It raises the heart rate, which causes the brain to receive more oxygen. It promotes the production of hormones that help brain cells thrive in a healthy environment. Walking, swimming, tennis, and any other light aerobic activity that raises your heart rate are all good options.
Quality sleep
Sleep helps to keep the brain healthy by removing toxins that accumulate throughout the day. Sleep is essential for good brain health and cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of acquiring mental diseases such as depression and anxiety.
Eat a balanced diet
A brain-boosting diet can help with both short and long-term memory. Your diet can help maintain your brain healthy and improve specific mental activities like memory and focus. All vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and foods rich in omega-3, vitamins, and minerals should be included in a diet.
Stay mentally active
Any activity that requires you to think, study, or network actively challenges your brain on a regular basis. Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, chess, card games are all activities that keep the brain engaged and active
Quit smoking and alcohol
The brain consumes 20% of the oxygen supplied by the blood. Smoking affects blood artery structures, making it more difficult for blood to circulate freely throughout the body and brain.
Excessive alcohol consumption over time can cause brain shrinkage. It can alter a person’s regular behavior without causing hallucinations, interfere with long-term memory, and produce dissociative symptoms.
Stay socially connected
Staying socially engaged helps you stay mentally connected. According to studies, persons who connect with others on a regular basis have higher brain function than those who do not.
(Courtesy: HT)
