Losing mental sharpness is a big part of aging. Did you know that 40% of adults over the age of 65 have memory impairment? If you’re finding it difficult to find your keys in the morning or struggling to find the right word in conversation, you could be one of those adults.
The good news is, that there are many ways you can keep your mind sharp. Just like every other muscle in the body, your brain needs to be exercised to stay in good shape. Take a look at a few tips for keeping your mind sharp as you age.
Challenge Yourself
Part of stimulating the mind is challenging yourself intellectually. This could mean taking part in educational learning again or doing a daily puzzle. Perhaps you like to do a crossword from your local newspaper or learn new words from the dictionary.
It’s also vital that you spend time with other people. Regular conversation with people of all age groups will help to keep your mind active as you age. Entertain your curiosity when it comes to feeding your mind.
Eat Well
Your whole body needs a healthy, balanced diet to function well; the brain is no exception. Many foods can promote good brain health. For example, fresh vegetables and Omega-3 fatty acid fish like salmon and tuna are highly recommended.
It’s to complement your diet with supplements for brain health too. If you’re having a particularly mentally active day, be sure to drink plenty of water. Not only can it help you feel refreshed and help you avoid headaches but it can also help you to avoid brain fog.
Physical Exercise
Along with exercising your brain, it’s important that you physically exercise too. Regular exercise will promote good blood and oxygen flow to the brain which is paramount for concentration. It also reduces the likeliness of high blood pressure which can lead to dementia.
Reduce Blood Pressure
Along with dementia, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Visit your doctor and discuss ways to reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Doing so will improve blood flow in the cardiovascular system which leads to improved cognitive function. Addressing blood pressure issues may involve diet or lifestyle changes.
Quit Smoking and Alcohol
Both smoking and drinking alcohol can damage cognitive function. This is even more likely if the user is abusing the substance. Cutting out smoking entirely will have a tremendous effect on your body.
Although it’s often to quit drinking entirely, cutting down your consumption to moderate drinking can also improve your cognitive abilities.
Maintaining Your Mental Sharpness
Maintaining your mental sharpness as you age can give you a better quality of life. Losing your cognitive function can feel like you’re no longer fully in control of your mind. However, you can take that control back with some simple changes.
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