As the years go by, our body slowly begins to deteriorate, and the brain is no exception to this rule, but much like any muscle, proper exercise can slow down this process, or halt it entirely.
Staying sharp amidst this rapidly changing world can be tough, and being forced to adapt to all these changes has proven to be incredibly taxing on the human psyche.
Entertain your brain
Just look at the shift from on-site to remote work that we saw in 2020 and you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.
Millions of Americans were required to change up their lifestyle on such short notice, and it’s caused a massive downturn in workplace efficiency.
However, it wasn’t just the companies that suffered losses because of this, as worker satisfaction had also seen an all-time low during this period.
We’re here to show you how you can keep your mind operating at maximum capacity while also maintaining your emotional health.
Aerobic exercise
Seeing as we’re talking about the brain here, it sounds counterintuitive to bring up physical exercise as an option but rest assured, it’ll make sense in just a second.
Cardio is known for improving your cardiovascular health, and proper blood flow in the brain is key to preventing the deterioration of brain function and creating new neural pathways.
Apart from this, regular physical activity also contributes to growing your hippocampus, which is in charge of memory and learning new skills.
It also helps your mind adapt to quickly switching between activities and making connections between correlated concepts.
Of course, you can’t exactly go for a quick jog while you’re on the clock, but that doesn’t mean a quick 15-minute break to stretch and take your eyes off the screen is off the menu.
Dedicate at least one day a week to a physical activity of your choice, be it cycling, running, hitting the gym, or simply taking a short walk in nature, and the results will be astonishing.
Mindfulness
Physical activity can and will contribute to the physiology of your brain, but you’ll need something to exercise your spirit as well.
It’s not all about good blood flow, as sometimes the real solution can be as simple as feeling good in your own skin.
Mind-body practices like yoga, tai-chi, and pilates have been all the rage with workers who spend hours typing away in the office, and testimonies have shown that they contribute greatly to mental aptitude.
Take half an hour to an hour every day to relax and think about every small action you take during this time.
Deep breaths and a strong focus on your mental „happy place” can go a long way, even more so if you’ve got a dedicated area to practice mindfulness in.
From reducing stress to improving your self-image, meditation has a wide array of benefits, and by giving time for your brain to relax and enjoy the simplicity of focusing on a single concept, you’ll improve your memory, attention span, and ability to process information.
Dance therapy
Combining complex movements with the need to match them to a certain rhythm is one of the best ways to define the concept of dance.
This makes it an excellent exercise for anyone looking to sharpen their mind while also having fun and staying active.
Remembering a set choreography is a process that’s much more than it seems at first, and combining this newly acquired knowledge with a musical piece can really get your mind worked up.
It also helps your brain make new connections between movement and rhythm, improving your neuroplasticity and your overall cognitive abilities.
Apart from this, most dances are done in pairs, and it’ll help drive away that feeling of loneliness that tends to come over us after a long week in the office.
Additionally, interacting with other people in such a setting will contribute to your mood and help you grow your interpersonal skills.
Solving puzzles
For those of us who already have enough physical activity in our lives, a different approach to brain exercise may be due, and puzzle games are a great way to stay entertained during break times.
Even if it’s something as simple as sudoku or logic tests, it’ll help you keep your brain sharp through times when life or work calls for mindless tasks.
Naturally, it’s better to spend this time not looking at a screen, but if you’re short on time, you can always download apps dedicated to this purpose on your phone or computer.
Any form of activity will do, so long as you’re able to take your mind on a stroll during this time and make it focus on something else, even if it’s for a couple of minutes.
Taking breaks is key when it comes to maintaining your mental health, so don’t feel guilty if you spend a couple of hours gaming on the weekends.
Moderation is the name of the game here, so don’t let it take center stage when there are other things to be done.
Conclusion
Keeping your brain occupied is one of the best ways to stave off mental deterioration and loss of cognitive ability.
Getting into a routine is human nature, but it’s the time we spend outside this routine that really matters, and if we choose to use it on high-quality mental or physical exercise, our body will reciprocate with feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment.
Time flies when you’re having fun, but as long as the fun you’re having is constantly challenging your mind and body, you will have barely felt it when you reach old age.