Brain Exercises That Will Keep Your Mind Sharp

Brain Exercises That Will Keep Your Mind Sharp

As you age, sticking to an exercise routine is really important for staying healthy, strong, and flexible. But we’re not only talking about physical fitness; your brain needs regular exercise in order to function at its best, too. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, keeping your brain active not only increases its vitality, it can also protect against Alzheimer’s disease because the brain cells and their connections are stronger.

Of course, your brain isn’t capable of performing the same activities you do in yoga class or at the gym. So, what does “exercising your brain” actually entail? When it comes to keeping your mind healthy and strong, it’s less about physical activity and more about remaining curious, involved, and committed to lifelong learning. 

The good news is you don’t have to go back to school or read a set of Encyclopedias to boost your brainpower. The following brain exercises are great ways to keep your mind sharp as you age.

Be social

Research shows that an active social life may delay memory loss among older adults. To widen your social circle, join a knitting club, participate in yoga classes, or sign up for group outings. By doing things you love, you’ll meet other people with similar interests. The more joys you can share with others, the better quality of life you’ll enjoy well into your golden years.

Get enough exercise

We mentioned earlier that keeping your mind sharp is more about mental stimulation, but there’s a strong link between physical and cognitive health that’s worth mentioning. Yoga is a terrific exercise for aging adults, as it keeps you flexible and builds strength through low-impact moves. You may also choose to develop a personal fitness plan with your primary care physician to keep your mind sharp.

Drink a lot of water

If you’re feeling groggy or tired, it may be because your brain is craving water. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to help boost your energy and keep your mind alert. To make drinking water more enjoyable, we suggest putting your favorite fruits in a pitcher and allowing the flavors to steep in water overnight. The next day, you’ll have beautiful drinking water infused with nutrients.

Learn a new language

If you’re really up for a challenge, consider learning to speak a foreign language. Perhaps you picked up a little bit of French in your younger days and want to refresh your memory. Or, if you’ve always wanted to travel to Spain, teach yourself a few basic words and phrases in Spanish. The process is cognitively challenging for most people, but it can also be rewarding and fun.

We love our guests!

At Bella Vista Health Center, our resident services and programs provide all the mental stimulation you need to keep your mind sharp. From yoga classes, to knitting clubs, to birthday celebrations and everything in between, we offer a variety of activities to raise your spirits in a safe, comfortable setting.

If you’re looking for a skilled nursing facility for yourself or a loved one, we invite you to visit our five-star nursing facility in Lemon Grove. We think you’re going to like what you see.

Improve Your Memory with These 6 Techniques

Improve Your Memory with These 6 Techniques

Sometimes, forgetting simple things is just another part of life. You’re running late and can’t remember where you set your keys down. Your friend just introduces you to her co-worker and you instantly forget her name. You think back on a book you read not too long ago and you can’t seem to recall the name of the protagonist. 

These types of memory lapses are completely normal, and everyone is guilty of having them at one point or another. However, the older we get, the more common these lapses in memory seem to occur. And the more they occur, the more we worry about what they could possibly mean. 

Well it turns out that there are actually ways to help you prevent memory loss. Follow these 6 tips to boost your brain and improve your memory.

#1 Use it or you’ll lose it

That’s the perfect saying when it comes to keeping your memory sharp. This means doing basically anything that keeps your mind active and alert. Skip out on the television before bed and instead start reading that mystery novel you bought a while back. Give the Sunday crossword puzzle another try. Try taking a new route on your way to work. The more you exercise your brain, the more in shape it will be.

#2 Get a good night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep puts the brain in the right state of mind to learn and remember information as you go about your day. Yes, this means getting that full seven to eight hours of sleep that is needed every night. Studies show that your brain actually processes the day’s events while you are sleeping and it works to consolidate them into your memory during this time. 

#3 Stick to a healthy diet

This includes both eating the right types of foods to give your brain the nutrients it needs and making sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day. A few foods that are known to save your memory include salmon, dark green leafy vegetables, avocados, peanut butter, sunflower seeds and oil-based salad dressings. 

#4 Get plenty of exercise

Exercising will increase the blood flow to the brain, which will keep your memory sharp. Not sure if an intense aerobic cardio session is really for you? Even something as simple as a brisk walk around your neighborhood or a slow and steady bike ride down the boardwalk will get the blood flowing and be beneficial to your brain. 

#5 Keep things simple

What we mean by this is if you’re constantly forgetting things, it might be because you have too much going on at once. Tone down the multitasking. Many people don’t realize that the brain doesn’t actually multitask, it switches from one task to the other. Instead, try focusing on one task at a time. Your memory will thank you later.

#6 Stay organized

When things get a little chaotic in your life, it’s easy for your memory to get a little jumbled as well. Make it a point to keep your home organized and clutter-free. The act of physically writing down items you need to remember helps you memorize them. Keep up-to-date to-do lists of tasks you know you need to remember.

We’ll make sure we’re doing everything we can to help

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, we take pride in knowing we are doing everything we can to help our guests be as healthy as possible. We provide our guests with nutritious meals, physical activity opportunities and guidance and education to help keep your memory sharp and alert.