4 tips on how to keep brain healthy and active
Staying fit doesn’t always have to do with exercise. Did you know that it is also good to keep your brain sharp? With the following 4 tips, you can work smart and keep your brain healthy.
How to keep brain healthy and active
Keep challenging your brain
Do you ever play crossword puzzles or sudoku? Or are you more into checkers or chess? Nowadays, there are also several other brain games to be found online. Your brain stays fit by playing thinking games. The performance of your brain is even improved and sharpened.
The first tip is to keep challenging your brain. Your brain works just like muscles; they get slacker if you don’t train them. For example, if you play a brain game for 10 minutes every day, you are already challenging your brain. This way, you keep yourself mentally fit.
Another good workout for your brain is playing a musical instrument. Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument? Perhaps now is the right time. When playing an instrument, you practice different abilities, such as moving your fingers. It would help if you also recognized music tones and rhythm to translate this into finger movements.
What you can also do is learn a new language. When learning a new language, different areas of the brain are active. For example, you have to learn and master new words, pronounce the words correctly, and take grammar rules into account; another way to keep your brain sharp.
Switch hands
Are you left-handed or right-handed? Then try switching hands. Your brain is used to the so-called dominant hand. It becomes a new challenge for your brain to use your other hand in daily activities.
What can you do? For example, brush your teeth with your other hand and keep practicing until you do this well. Then try it with other activities such as writing, ironing, or washing dishes. This way, you make it more difficult for yourself, and at the same time, you train your brain.
Maintain good balance
Having the right balance in life is and remains important. Also, for your brain to keep them fit for as long as possible. A good balance is not to work hard but smart. And especially not to work overtime. Also, make sure you have enough rest.
Try to sleep at least 6 to 8 hours a night. In this way, you also give your brain a rest to be sharp again the next day. Keep moving as much as possible. It is good for your brain to perform physical activities such as sports or walking. Healthy food is also essential; we will discuss this further in the next tip.
Eat smart
To keep your brain fit, it is important to eat healthily. Healthy food is also the basis of a well-functioning brain. For example, it is recommended to take two servings of fruit every day. In addition, eat plenty of vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce.
Avoid bad sugars as much as possible and be careful with carbohydrates. Otherwise, opt for whole-grain products. Do you want to eat good fats? Then choose salmon, mackerel, or herring. It is recommended to eat this at least once a week.
It is also good to take a handful of unsalted walnuts every day. Nuts contain beneficial nutrients. Food also includes drinking. It is better to leave soft drinks. Drink plenty of water, preferably 1.5 to 2 liters per day. This way, you stay sharp, and your brain can function as optimally as possible.