by Dr. Deborah Bauers

Created on: August 09, 2009   Last Updated: August 09, 2010

According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation, even seniors can improve mental fitness by participating in an exercise regimen geared toward keeping the brain vital and active.[1] This is great news to those of us who are looking for the opportunity to enjoy longevity of life by not only being physically fit, but mentally fit as well.

While everyone knows that aging is something that can't be prevented, most agree that the effects of aging can be lessened through care taken to maintain healthy bodies and minds. Who doesn't want to have a sharp mind and active brain well into his eighties?

In order to enjoy life as a senior, the time to begin exercising the brain is while you are still young. Research has shown that as adults move into their thirties the blood supply to the brain begins to lessen and old neural-pathways have to reroute themselves. This means that the brain has to work harder to achieve the same results. Although you may not see appreciable difference in how your brain functions for up to two decades, mental fitness through exercise is essential to brain health during the senior years.

A significant cross-section of Americans visit health clubs and YMCAs several times a week to swim, lift weights, and jog their bodies into optimal physical shape. Imagine what it would be like to visit the local brain gym. What equipment would you find there to achieve mental fitness? What would a mental fitness routine include?

1. Consider having a stimulating conversation with at least one other person every day. Regular verbal communication is one way to achieve mental fitness. The more thought provoking the conversation, the better work-out you give your brain.

2. Engage in regular physical exercise. This helps keep the blood supply to the brain enriched and is a natural stress buster and antidote for depression.

3. Do word puzzles and brain games to help stimulate the thinking portion of the brain.

4. Deal with stress through journaling or visiting with a therapist.

5. Do mental health checks daily to monitor your attitude? Having a positive outlook on life helps eliminate negative thought patterns and emotions that can lead to depression.

6. Engage in activities that use fine motor coordination. Moving the hands and fingers stimulates neural pathways that lead directly to the brain.

7. Join a book club. Read at least a book a month and then discuss it with others.

8. Force yourself to rely on memory alone instead of a to do list. Imagine that the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>