5 Ways to Keep an Active Mind
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on April 25, 2019
5 Ways to Keep an Active Mind
As we age, our bodies and minds tend to slow down more than they did in our younger years. Luckily, there are many ways to keep our minds active and healthy so that they retain information longer and stay sharp.
Here are some ways to keep your mind active and bright:
1. Crosswords or Soduku
Crossword puzzles are a great way to keep your mind sharp. Challenging words or clues might be tricky, but there are also crossword books and dictionaries to help out when you get stuck. Crosswords may start out harder than expected, but people tend to get the hang of them after a few tries, so stick with them!
Soduku puzzles are a similar concept but with numbers instead of words. The basic principle is each puzzle is comprised of nine boxes, each with must include the numbers one through nine, as well as each row and column needing the same numbers. As with crosswords, these can be daunting at first, but they’re very addictive once you get the hang of them!
If you already get a daily newspaper, many offer both crosswords and Soduku puzzles inside. If not, many pharmacies offer large books of both kinds of puzzles, as well as many others for a low price.
2. Walking Outdoors
Walking is a great way to make both body and mind stay active. When you take the activity outdoors it’s an even better option since your brain gets to experience the wonder of nature as well as fresh air as you enjoy a leisurely walk to get the blood flowing. Sending rich oxygen and blood flow throughout your body is a great way to get your mind moving and
3. Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw Puzzles are another way to keep your mind constantly moving and seeing things in a different light. There are so many different puzzles out there, from millions of pictures to choose from, as well as 3D versions that build themselves upright instead of just on a one-dimensional plane on a table. As your mind works to find pieces that go together, it’s firing away keeping your thinking abilities active and engaged the whole time.
4. Keeping Up with Friends
Having deep conversations with friends is another way to keep your mind active. Planning to have lunch or dinner with them even just once a week so you can engage in some fun conversations over your favorite meal keeps your mind working at a great pace. Maintaining great friendships is a wonderful way to both enjoy your time together and to enjoy the freedom of retirement. Taking these friendships and getting to enjoy them on different levels is another way to take the time and make it even more enjoyable. Try meeting at a park to take a walk together as you chat, or try a new painting class together.
5. Healthy Diet
Healthy eating is another great way to get your mind at its peak performance. The phrase “you are what you eat” is very true. Fueling your mind and body helps keep it at its peak and getting a good combination of carbohydrates, fats, and protein can help keep it that way. Make sure you’re fueling your brain to keep it top notch.
There are many ways to make sure your brain is constantly being used and tested, which is exactly what it takes to keep it active as we age. Doing the puzzles listed above and staying active by walking and fueling your body with the right foods can really help in the long run.
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