by Ruth Belena

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2008

Keep your brain active and your mind sharp with some good mental exercise. It is not difficult, and does not need to be dull.

Most table games and card games are good for exercising the brain. Any game that requires strategic thinking is a good brain game. You can even play cards on your own, and if you enjoy playing Solitaire, you will feel a sense of achievement each time you win a game.

Most good strategy games, including variations of Solitaire, can be played on a computer. If you start with some basic ones, you can build up to more complex versions, as you gain more experience and expertise.

Reading is probably the most stimulating activity for the brain. With an enquiring mind you can use books to gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Analyzing and thinking about what you read is a good way to form beliefs and opinions.

Fiction can stretch your imagination and can take your mind to distant places, into the past, or the future. Novels can take you on mind expanding adventures, and good books allow your mind to accept and understand things beyond your own experiences.

Another great way to stimulate the brain is to be creative. You need ideas in order to create, whether you choose to practice a craft, or an art. Try to express yourself in writing, painting or by making decorative objects. You will need to use your brain to develop new skills, and to find inspiration!

Whatever brain stimulating strategies you choose, you need to ensure your brain gets enough time to recover during the hours of sleep. Your brain will not function well without a good sleeping habit. Too little sleep, or too much sleep, will affect brain activity, and disturbed sleep, due to stress or worry, will have a bad affect on the mind.

Before you try to sleep, you should free your mind of stress and negative thoughts. Focus on the good things that have happened during the day. Fill your thoughts with love and gratitude for those who care about you. End each day with a positive attitude, appreciating what you have, rather than thinking of what you don't have.

Positive thinking gets easier to do the more you do it. You will eventually rid your mind of all negativity, and your brain will be better for it.

Healthy eating and regular physical activity are essential for the brain to function well. Keep your mind sharp, and your brain fed, with nutritious food, sporting activities, a good workout routine, and regular brisk walking.

Having a healthy active brain, and a sharp positive mind, will make you feel good too.

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