Help Your Brain Grow Old Gracefully

The mind is a terrible thing to waste, so the saying goes. They also say use it or lose it. As we get older we tend to forget things. We also tend to do less things that make us think. When we were all kids in school we were pretty much forced to think. We had homework, we had to read and study, we even had regular tests. Honestly, at any age, whether it be 20, 30, 40, 50 or even 60, can you remember all of your teacher's names from kindergarten to senior year? I can't and I am sure most of you can't either. The ones that can? I commend you. Nonetheless, following are some ways to workout your brain so that even if you forgot what happened yesterday, or last week, maybe you'll be able to remember what you do tomorrow next week!

Start off by moving it, before you lose it! Exercise gets our blood pumping and the oxygen flowing. More oxygen to our brains helps our brains function more properly. The average person should get at least twenty minutes of exercise five days a week. This includes getting your heart rate up. So just doing some push-ups won't cut it. Get on the treadmill or go for a job at least three of those days.

Confuse your brain. Watch something different. Talk to someone you didn't think you liked. When you confuse your brain it works harder. Read a book in a genre you have no interest in. This is kind of the same idea, for your brain, as the new workout craze that changes up your fitness routine every time. Your body and mind crave new things, so changing it up helps.

Get the right foods and vitamins! Eat foods rich in Omega- fatty acids, like fish, that help boost your brain power. Get lots of fruits and vegetables that are full of antioxidants and vitamins. My favorite antioxidant rich foods are dark chocolate, pomegranates and blueberries! Vitamin B is great for your brain and your nervous system, take a supplement if you don't think you are getting enough foods with B vitamins in them. You should eat fish at least twice a week and make sure you are getting fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. You should get at least five serving of veggies and three serving of fruit every day.

Get the right amount of sleep. Our brains work better when well rested. Also, take a nap when you need it. An hour nap when you are feeling worn down will give your brain a boost and get you through the rest of the day. Sleep studies have shown that the right amount of sleep not only makes the brain work better but it also can help with weight loss. To find out what the right amount of sleep for you is try going to bed at the same time three nights in a row and each morning letting yourself wake up naturally, with no alarms. The average time span of those three nights of sleep will tell you how much sleep your body needs each night!

Meditate. Relaxation can help your brain get time to process and store all of that information you are taking in on a daily basis. We forget so much now because our lives are so hectic and busy. Take some time out to absorb it all. Meditation can be as simple as just sitting in a quiet corner and allowing the mind to forget all of the worries of the day or you can add in guided imagery, like imagining you are on a nice warm beach sipping a cocktail and listening to the waves while the sun warms and relaxes you.

Always take notes. Make lists. Write in a journal. This will help you remember even if the steps above don't seem to help! When it is time to go shopping write down everything you need. Make lists of your daily plans, chores and goals. Write in a journal each night about all of the things that you did that day, or that were important to you that day. You will have a record to look back at and when you are remembering everything to write it down it will also help to engrave it in your memory!

Sources:

http://www.increasebrainpower.com/

http://www.brainpower.org/