by Gabby Bugwadia

Created on: March 19, 2010   Last Updated: March 22, 2010

 Good mental health entails keeping our minds in top working condition. As people get older, they tend to lose out on the optimal functioning of the mind. What can one do to arrest the degeneration of the mind?

We need to keep our life in balance. We need to appreciate the value of tranquility in the midst of our high-tech, uncertain lives; we need to learn how to effectively reduce our stress levels and how to stimulate our brains to function at its best. In short, we need to follow an effective regime of brain-strengthening exercises.

Here are some effective tips you can use to keep your mind sharp as you grow older:

Tip # 1: Reduce stress

Our bodies and minds are inter-linked. When our body is tense and strained, we experience stress and cannot relax.  Reduction of stress can stimulate the brain to function at its peak performance. Experts on stress-management suggest that whenever we feel stressed, a six-second release exercise should be practiced. First inhale deeply for two seconds, and then exhale for four seconds. During this time, it helps to softly say "I'm relaxing" or any other *mantra* which works best for you.

Tip # 2: Follow good sleeping habits

After a full day's work, our brains cannot focus well without adequate rest and sleep. Good sleep habits include following a regular schedule- - like going to bed at the same time each night, maintaining the same sleeping position, taking a warm bath or drink, or even administering a mini-self-massage, which allows you to drift into a calming restful state. Researchers have concluded that exercising during the day could contribute to good, sound sleep.

Tip # 3: Engage in meaningful games

Mental workouts stimulate the release of chemicals that boost brain-power. You can keep mentally alert even as you get older, by staying mentally active. Spending some time each day in pursuit of vigorous mental activity and stimulating brain workouts, are highly beneficial. Involve in the pursuit of challenging card games or word games, play chess or solve cross-word puzzles. These help to keep your minds sharp; they contribute towards your mental fitness by stimulating the growth of new brain cells.

Tip # 4: Pursue learning

Age does not disqualify one from learning. Feeding your brain with specific bits of information promotes thought that demands high concentration. Challenge your mind to “think.” Neurological experts believe that a significant halt in mental decline can be noticed when pursuing

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