Keeping your mind sharp is the key to enjoying a high quality of life in your older years. Staying active, both mentally and physically, will enhance your memory and powers of concentration.

There are many proactive activities and preventive measures you can incorporate into your daily routines to ensure both body and brain remain healthy.

Proactive activities

* Brain exercise

Word games, crossword puzzles, and number games like Sudoku, will all enhance brain functioning. Strategy board games, such as chess and checkers, will assist with improving concentration. There are many computer sites offering free game challenges for entertainment and brain enhancement.

* Adopt a healthy eating plan

Adhere to a well-balanced diet and keep hydrated by drinking sufficient amounts of water throughout the day. Eliminate caffeine and foods with high fat and sugar content. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will enhance brain function. These types of foods contain antioxidants that nourish the brain cells.

* Obtain adequate sleep

An overtired brain cannot function. Ensure to get eight hours of sleep at night. The older you get, the more quickly you will become tired from strenuous mental or physical activity. Take a brief nap midday to reenergize and refresh your body and mind.

* Exercise

Staying physically active will also increase mental alertness. Adopt an exercise plan. Walk twenty minutes a day in the fresh air, or join a gym. Lifting weights will keep bones strong, and during inclement weather, you can use the exercise bike or treadmill indoors. Even gardening or housework will provide a certain amount of healthy exercise. Whatever method you choose, the secret to maintaining agility and alertness is to keep moving.

* Continue learning

Take up a new hobby. Attend adult education classes. Many community colleges offer tuition-free opportunities for seniors. Volunteer your time with a charitable organization. Read, write; join a book club. Anytime you have an opportunity to learn something new or enjoy a different experience, you are stretching your brain capacity. Stay informed about current events. Watch the news and educational television channels. Whatever you do to remain "in the loop" of life will be good for your brain.

* Socialize

Keep an active social life. One of the pitfalls of aging is the possibility of becoming isolated from the social scene. Talk on the phone with friends and relatives, strike up conversations with neighbors you encounter on your walks,

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