Keep Your Brain Young and Engaged
Posted: September 3, 2021 | By: Stacy Croninger
Everyone ages. Our bodies age. Even our brains age. So how do you make the most of growing old and keep your brain young and engaged? Lucky for you, there are lots of fun ways. Of course, nutrition, sleep, exercise are important, but we’ll cover those another time. Let’s look at the fun ways you can keep your brain loving life.
Music
According to Hopkins Medicine in their article Keep Your Brain Young with Music, “listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.” They continue on to point out that to keep your brain engaged you should listen to or play music because it provides a total brain workout. Who knew?
They suggest listening to different music than we typically listen to. Try what your kids or grandkids are listening to or a different genre. New music challenges the brain differently than listening to the same music we are used to.
Music can also help you recall memories. Maybe a song by Chicago takes you back to your prom or Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley reminds you of your wedding day. No matter the song, a trip down memory lane is good for the brain.
Learn Something New
Learning is a great way to stretch your brain and there are so many ways to do that. Take an online class, buy a kit with instructions, buy a book or check it out from the library, or take a class in your community. Start by picking a subject or topic and dive in.
Or keep it simple and learn something small each day. How to poach an egg, start plants from seeds, or a yoga move. Think of something you can easily accomplish in 30-60 minutes (or even less). The key is to pick something you are interested in and explore all aspects. Your brain will be happy and you’ll have new skills.
Stump Yourself
The Alzheimer’s Association suggests that you: “Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play games, such as bridge, that make you think strategically. Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain.”
Isn’t it wonderful that giving your brain a workout can be fun and beneficial? Plus, many games involve other people, which lets you interact socially, which is another great way to keep your brain young. So grab a game, gather a few friends, and challenge your brains!
We hope this gives you some things to think about as you work to keep your brain healthy, young, and invigorated.
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