« Allow Your Body to Cure Itself Through Natural Healing | Home | How to Prevent and Get Rid of Tonsil Stones or Tonsilloliths »
Active and healthy mind games
By Spa guru | November 16, 2009
Your brain is an organ and just like your heart or your lungs – it requires oxygen s well as exercise in order to operate at an optimum level. You may be too young to give into middle-aged worries like ‘ use it or lose it’ or even to start fretting about Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases – however, it’s still important that you focus on keeping your brain in shape.
By engaging regularly in the right types of activities, you can increase your memory, improve your problem-solving skills and boost your creativity. Here’s some advice on how to keep your mind active:
Quit smoking
If you are a smoker, quitting is top of the ‘to-do’ list for better mental acuity. This is because smokers can add memory loss to the long list of health problems that come from smoking. Smokers may have twice the risk of living their last few days while suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as do people who have never smoked. Therefore, if the state and health of your mind are so important to you – stop smoking now — it is never too late. If you quit smoking now, you can still reduce your risk of memory loss later in life
Learn a language
Say ‘Ciao!’ or ‘Bonjour!’ to a new language. Learning a new tongue keeps your brain flexible and your mind sharp, helping to reduce the slowing of the thought processes that come with ageing. Attend classes, listen to tapes or seek out friends with whom you can converse in your new chosen language. Instead of watching the same television programs you always do, take in a foreign language movie with subtitles and immerse yourself in your new experience.
Play games
Thanks to an ageing baby-boom generation, there are now plenty of mentally stimulating games. Brainteasers and puzzles are good exercises for the brain. At sites like at sites like Free Printable Sudoku you’ll find the best killer sudoku. Always have a crossword book in your briefcase or purse and work on it while you commute, while you wait for an appointment or when you relax on your coffee break. You will certainly improve your cognitive skills and your creative thinking as well as your word power and vocabulary. Try also games that force you to strategize – for example, chess, bridge and solitaire.
Learn a new skill
A long-term goal like learning to play a musical instrument stimulates your brain on many levels over an extended period. A skill like learning to tango or foxtrot is great for the brain because it combines music and movement. Make everyday activities harder You can stimulate your brain simply by changing somewhat your daily routine. If you are right handed, switch! Brush your teeth with your left hand! Shower with your eyes closed — anything that will force you to use more of your senses.
Read
Whether it is a website, a novel or a newspaper, keeping your mind engaged in intellectual activity and expanding your vocabulary are two important ways to keep your brain thinking and working. As an extra exercise, repeat facts to yourself that you want to remember a few times – and try to recall them again later.
Socialize
Your brain is the ultimate party animal and loves social activity. Look out for clubs or other social activities that will surround you with people and have you interacting. New surroundings, new topics of conversation and other multi-sensory activities force the brain to literally form new connections, thus increasing memory capacity.
Topics: Best Spa Vacations | No Comments »