We all know how important it is to keep our bodies healthy, but it’s just as important to keep our minds active and healthy too – we need both our brains and our physical bodies if we’re going to make the most out of life for as long as possible. The good news is that there are many ways to ensure that your mind is kept active; here are some suggestions.
1. Meditate
Meditation is a wonderful thing, Not only does it allow you to relax, be at peace, and live in the moment (at least for a little while), it also has health benefits for your brain. When you practice meditation regularly, you’ll find that you have better concentration, you feel happier in yourself, your mind is clearer, and you are better able to deal with the symptoms of stress and anxiety. You can teach yourself how to meditate, or you can join a local group – the benefits are the same either way, so choose the method that best suits you.
2. Keep Learning
If you want your brain to remain active, the best thing you can do is exercise it. That means learning as much as you can and doing so constantly. You can go back to school if you want to have structured learning, or go to an evening class if your time is limited. You can even take a correspondence course because the internet has made this easier than ever. At the very least you can read as much as possible, absorbing as much as possible such as Vitruvian Man facts or what the different types of clouds are, or anything else that comes to mind. It almost doesn’t matter what you learn as long as you are learning.
3. Eat Well
Eating a well-balanced diet has many benefits for both our minds and our bodies, so it’s essential that you eat well. Many experts advocate the Mediterranean diet as being one of the best for great brain power. It consists of small amounts of poultry, fish, dairy, healthy fats such as nuts and seeds, and red meat. The bulk of the diet is made up of fresh vegetables. What’s really important is that this diet is designed to be eaten socially, and to be eaten slowly, and this is perhaps what really makes it such a healthy option.
4. Meet People
Socializing isn’t what everyone would consider a lot of fun, but even if you don’t enjoy it it’s a good idea to try it because it boosts your brain’s health. Having a good friend network and interacting with other people will make you feel happier and this, in turn, allows the brain to work more efficiently. Studies are still ongoing, but it seems as though those with close friends are healthier than those who don’t have them.
5. Sleep Well
When we sleep our bodies are able to repair themselves, so it makes sense that if we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies never quite manage to get back to one hundred percent health. Sleeping properly also allows the brain to repair and regenerate too; it helps with memory and cognitive ability, for example. That’s why it’s often better to sleep on a problem because, when resting, your brain will more easily be able to come up with a solution.
