How To Keep Your Mind Active
If you don’t use your leg muscles, they can fade over time. The same applies to your mind. Even if you are not as physically active as you used to be, it is possible to keep your mind fit. Here are four tips to help you exercise your mind and keep it active.
- Learn something new
Try something you haven’t done before. With access to a computer and the internet, it’s possible to search almost any topic that you’re interested in. Take up a new hobby or an interest in something that you can enjoy and discuss with others. Gardening, music, painting, current affairs, computer skills, historical facts, world geography, the solar system, or anything you haven’t explored before.
- Listen to music
Do you have a favourite era, or do you like an artist or band whose music is timeless? From classical to rock and everything in between, the power of music can bring back wonderful memories and feelings. Research has shown that listening to music can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, support mental alertness, lift mood, and just help you to feel happy. Listen on your own, or share music with a friend.
- Exercise
Exercise stimulates the release of chemicals that affect the health of brain cells in a positive way. Indirectly, exercise helps to improve your mood, your quality of sleep and reduces stress. It’s never too late to start a simple exercise routine that suits your situation. Begin with gentle exercise for just a few minutes each day and build up slowly to get those chemicals and brain cells working.
- Do a puzzle
You’ll find free puzzles in newspapers, magazines and online to challenge and stimulate your mind. If you haven’t done a crossword in a while, or played sudoku before, give it a go. Challenge and stimulate your mind with some mental gymnastics and if you get stuck, you can always ask a friend if they know the answer. Puzzles can be a good talking point and a lot of fun.
There are many other ways to exercise your mind.
Some activities can be completed on your own, like reading a book, or drawing a picture, while others can be shared, like playing chess, draughts, battleships, or even naughts and crosses. Shared activities can inspire some interesting conversation and a good laugh with adults as well as children. These are just a few ideas for you to try and we hope you find one or two that you enjoy!
