Your brain’s physique is as important as your body’s
You’ve just arrived home from your fourth gym session this week, because your body is your temple and you need to keep it in top form, right? Of course that’s right. But while you’re exercising your body, your brain is wondering how full your inbox will be, or what you’re going to do this weekend or whether that work deal is a sure thing or not.
Just because you’re still able to think, doesn’t mean your brain is being challenged – which is what you need to do to create new and active neural pathways which keeps it sharp.
Luckily, brain gym requires less exertion, but the same (if not more) effort. Here are four brain treadmills you can get on for a “six-pack” of the mind.
1. Finish that novel
While this may sound like going back to your “dear diary” twelve-year-old self, it doesn’t have to be. Keeping a daily note of your surroundings or even your thoughts and feelings are enormously beneficial to your health.
If you are not keen on the idea of keeping notes of personal stuff then try choosing a topic of interest and doing a bit of research on it before writing down your findings. Do you love general knowledge? Why not design a crossword? Figures? Then Sudoku it is.
2. Give your brain a relaxing bath
For thousands of years the health benefits of meditation have been chanted from the hilltops – and for good reason. This ancient practise of mind over matter is the opposite of brain gym; it is the art of learning to quieten the mind through deep relaxation in order to cleanse it.
There is so much information to process in a single minute of each day that we can get overwhelmed with what is important and what is not. Meditation creates positive physiological changes in our bodies that reduce these external stresses.
A widespread scientific study done by Harvard Medical School showed that deep relaxation can change our bodies on a genetic level in such a way that those who meditate are better equipped at fighting diseases. So download a meditation app, join a yoga class or just sit still for ten minutes and clear your mind of all thoughts. You’ll see it’s not as easy as it seems, but well worth the effort.
3. Discover hidden talents
Have you bought yourself an adult colouring book yet, or joined a dance class? How about going back to piano lessons? If not, then perhaps you should. No matter what your creative abilities are – painting a hyper realistic portrait or playing chopsticks with two fingers, these acts have enormous mental health benefits and are proven to dramatically enhance cognitive function. Learning a creative skill and practising it on a regular basis can change neural pathways that will eventually increase your memory and your attention span. You’re never too old to sign up for that art class, practice your scales or join your local theatre group.
4. Finally get your PhD in Chinese Opera
Who says spending too much time on the internet is bad for you? We all know learning is key to a healthy brain. The internet is teeming with opportunities for you to learn more, and offers online courses in just about any topic you can imagine. Increase your knowledge on something you already know or learn an entirely new skill. There is no better way to keep your mind young than with new knowledge.
An underused brain has been linked to the onset of brain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, so if you don’t remember to exercise your brain, it will eventually have difficulty performing basic tasks just like your body would under the same circumstances. The great thing about brain gym is that you can exercise your brain for as long as you like and it won’t get tired, (or sweat!).
