Just like your other muscles you’ve got to look after your brain if you want to keep it whirring along in tip top condition. Here are three things you can do to help keep your grey matter feeling great.
Diet
For a complete brain-friendly meal, team low GI carbs like brown pasta, which steadily release glucose to improve concentration, with oily fish such as trout, mackerel or sardines. The omega-3 found in these foods can’t be made by the body but has been shown to stave off Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss, besides caring for your joints. If you can’t face fish, flaxseeds are an excellent alternative and may even lower cholesterol.
Finish off your brain-boosting dinner with lots of blueberries. Evidence suggests that these antioxidant-rich beauties may improve short term memory loss. For a doubly healthy hit mix them with blackcurrants, which are a great source of vitamin C. That humble fruit salad just became a mind-expanding must-try!
Exercise
Not just good for your blood pressure and strength, exercise also does wonders for your brain. We’ve all experienced that moment of walking into a room and forgetting what we’re looking for, or hunting furiously for our glasses just to find them on our head. This is more a source of annoyance than a cause for concern, but if you’re fed up with forgetting it might be time to head to the gym.
Studies have shown that high-intensity exercise can improve cognitive function in adults, including your ability to recall names and details. To make sure you’re helping your brain and getting your heart pumping, head down to your local gym. No matter your ability or fitness level, the vast range of classes now available means you’ll find one to suit. If you’re feeling nervous, exercising with others can help with motivation and be a brilliant way to socialise.
Activities
Unlike your feet, your brain doesn’t stop growing when you hit a certain age, provided you keep it active. If you always stick to familiar routines, you aren’t giving your brain the stimulation it needs to continue forming new connections. Try doing new things every day and you’ll find that you retain more information, improve your co-ordination and feel more creative. Sign up to a language, arts or craft class, or teach yourself to use the latest tech – shop laptops from K&Co and get plugged in. There are plenty of games on the internet which will keep your brain active. Having fun is really important – the more interested and engaged you are in the activity, the more likely you’ll be to continue doing it. Not only are you having a good time, but your brain will thank you for it!
earthlingorgeous says
November 16, 2013 at 9:46 amI need I need a lot of brain exercise lately I’m spacing out.
Tetcha Figuerres says
November 22, 2013 at 7:49 amMy brain feels rather rusty these days. I should go back to exercising again to boost my brain power. Thanks for the info!