Wellness is about more than maintaining just physical health, it’s also about maintaining a healthy mind. Try these steps to keep in tip-top mental shape.
Yesterday, I walked into the kitchen and immediately forgot what I’d come in for. I swore that I wouldn’t leave the room until I remembered. Although I laugh at myself when it happens, and it seems to be almost a weekly occurrence, I know it’s most likely because I’m either not paying attention or have too much on my mind. I was happy to do some research and find that the mere fact of being concerned about forgetting something is actually a sign that you’re not losing your mind.
But it’s scary to even think about the onset of cognitive decline. Serious medical conditions aside, we can all do things to keep our brains sharp for as long as possible. Here are some tips to try that are fun, as well as good for you.
Exercise – Studies show that exercising the body is good for strengthening the mind. Find something you like to do, whether it’s walking, biking, swimming, weight lifting, yoga, tennis, or the newest craze sweeping the courts—Pickleball. Aerobic exercise a few times a week is especially good at keeping memory lapses at bay.
Sleep – The consensus of sleep experts is that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night, although some people require less or more. Gone are the days when getting by on little sleep is seen as something to brag about. Our brains do a lot of work while we’re sleeping, and depriving them of adequate downtime to do their jobs shows up in both mood and performance. There’s no such thing as “catching up on sleep,” so try to keep to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible. (More on how to do this, as well as my journey to change from a night owl to a morning person, in future posts.)
Exercise your brain – Learn something new—a language, instrument, art form, sport, or hobby. Do puzzles—Wordle is sweeping the globe for a reason.
Use your non-dominant hand for everyday tasks – Eating, writing, or drawing with your other hand might be difficult, but that’s the primary reason it will strengthen your mind.
Meditate – It’s not only for yoga masters anymore. I can’t even sit with my legs crossed, yet I try at least a few times a week to find a comfortable position, set my timer, and concentrate on my breathing. Free apps like Insight Timer can help get you started. Remember, it’s a practice, not perfection.
If you get a chance to try these tips, let me know in the comments which ones work best for you. And if you have some of your own, please share them.
Happy to say I have incorporated all your suggestions with the exception of using my non-dominant hand.