Everyone over forty has probably noticed that their brain could use a little more clarity from time to time. Here's some simple steps to energizing an older brain and even strengthening it a bit.
- Exercise--getting blood and oxygen to the brain through cardiovascular exercise will help
- Hatha Yoga--the combination of diaphramatic breathing, relaxation and positions where the brain is slightly lower than the heart will also get more blood and oxygen to the brain.
- Water--The brain is mostly water and many older people are slightly but chronically dehydrated. Don't drink alcohol or coffee; drink water and herbal teas.
- Stimulation--Find new ways to stimulate your senses. Any and all of the senses help the brain if you give the body new things to see, hear, taste, smell or touch. Go to a brightly colored restaurant, visit an art gallery, eat new foods, join a choir, get a massage, or burn insense. Do something different and you'll have some new sensory experience!
- Happiness--You really will do better with gratitude, joy and forgiveness. Anger and sadness produce negative brain chemistry that weakens the brain and the immune system while positive emotions produce positive chemistry in the brain.
- Games--Any kind of board game or puzzle that makes the brain struggle a little will help build capacity.
- Quality TV--Watch challenging programs or game shows that challenge the brain. Avoid mindless TV that dulls the brain into a passive state.
- Internet--There is plenty on the internet to challenge the brain; read challenging news articles, play interesting games, listen to talks on sites like YouTube.com or TED.com
- Brain Food--Eat a healthy diet like the Mediterranean Diet or the South Beach Diet. If you need to lose weight then exercise to increase your metabolism but don't just cut calories. Your brain uses much of the energy that your body produces. Don't starve your brain!
- Essential Fatty Acids--Supplement with Essential Fatty Acids; you brain needs fat for maintainence and energy. You've probably heard of Omega-3 oils. Find a good supplement that provides a variety of fish, flax and borage oils.
- Herbs--There's several herbs that can help with brain function. Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng are the leading supplements in this area.
- Education--Learn something new: join a choir, study a new language, take up a new hobby. You're looking for ways to make the brain struggle a little.
- Lists--Keep a todo list. Don't waste time sitting around and growing dull. The rule, "Use it or lose it." applies to our grey matter as well as our muscles. Multi-task: if you're going to the doctor's office, take along a challenging book so you don't have to read the magazines.
- Memory exercises--There are three basic ways of learning: visual, auditory, kinetic. You probably know whether you learn better when someone talks to you, or whether you need a diagram or written description, or perhaps need to physically do something before you understand it. Find a way to develop your favorite method of learning. You'll learn new facts better if you use multiple associations. A name might be easier if you write it down as well as hear it. It might be better to mentally see a picture of a object that reminds you of the name.
- Repetition--It workes when you were in first grade and it still works.
- Rest--Adequate sleep is critical to brain function. Don't take pills, learn how to get a good night's sleep.
- Sex: Most sex occurs in the brain and the blood-flow and biochemical results are similar to joy mentioned earlier.
- Sunshine--You need vitamin D for brain health and the best way to get it is from sunlight. Supplements are a possible alternative but aren't the best way to go.
- Cellphones--Cellphone users are 240 percent more likely to get brain tumors. The impact on brain function is unknown but can't be positive.
- Toxins--Avoid toxins like aspartame and MSG which damage the brain.
Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.
