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, at the gym or while shopping. Check out your local community senior center. Most have myriad programs and opportunities for social interaction. The same is true for most churches.
Preventive measures
* Keep stress under control
Avoid stress as much as possible. Stress causes the brain to release hormones that can damage healthy brain cells. Chronic stress will create depression and anxiety, interfering with the ability to think clearly and use good judgment. Practice deep breathing exercises and other stress-relief techniques when stressful thoughts invade your mind.
- Avoid unhealthy habits
Smoking, drinking and unhealthy eating will interfere with brain activity. Eliminate any addictive behaviors that might inhibit concentration or memory. Seek professional help, if necessary, to overcome destructive habits.
- Regular doctor visits
Be sure to have regular check-ups with your doctor. During a routine physical exam you will be tested for blood sugar levels, thyroid functioning, blood pressure and cholesterol. Any of these measures of body function being off balance can create havoc with your brain, memory and concentration.
Keeping your mind sharp as you grow older is a challenge that will take determination and will-power, but the benefits you will derive in quality of life will be immeasurable.
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