Ways for Senior to Keep Their Brain Active

It is natural to lose some mental acuity as we age. However, there are some things you
can do to help delay any memory decline and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s
disease or other dementias. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to stay sharp.

Stay healthy: This is good advice not only for your body but also for your mind.
Regular exercise increases the number of vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your
brain, as well as stimulating the growth of new cells.

Medical professionals encourage people of all ages to exercise for 30 to 45 minutes
every day. You can walk, swim, play tennis, or any other moderate aerobic activity that
increases your heart rate.

Also, it matters what you put into your body. Diet plays an important role in the health
of your brain. Studies suggest that a Mediterranean-style diet that emphasizes fruits,
vegetables, fish, nuts, and unsaturated fats like olive oil will help reduce the risk of
cognitive decline and dementia.

Get enough sleep: Sleep plays an important role in brain health. It is important that
you try to get seven to eight consecutive hours of sleep a night, not a fragmented sleep
in two or three-hour increments. Consecutive sleep gives your brain time to consolidate
and store your memories effectively.

Be mentally active: Your brain is similar to a muscle: you can lose it if you don’t use
it. There are many things you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as doing
crosswords or sudoku, reading, playing cards, or putting together a puzzle. Consider it a
cross-training of your brain. Hence, combine different activities to increase
effectiveness.

Many older adults have already benefited from learning a little more about computers
and email, while others have used new technology for their learning. Mental stimulation
creates new connections between nerve cells and can even help the brain to create new
cells. This is vital to limiting those moments of memory loss and brain confusion.