Page 124 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2020

HEALTHY LIVING
story by
Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
We all know that keeping our bodies healthy requires diet and exercise, but what about our minds? As we age, it becomes especially important to exercise one of our most vital organs: the brain. Whether you’re looking to increase mental performance or fend o mental decline, here are some of the most e ective ways to “work out” your mind!
JIGSAW PUZZLES
Puzzles are a great way to have fun and challenge your
mind. A recent study by Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience showed that solving jigsaw puzzles combines several cognitive abilities, improving the long term mental performance of participants.
SWITCH HANDS
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Try using your
non-dominant hand to increase brain activity. While challenging at rst, the di culty of using your other hand for activities such as brushing your teeth, eating or using your computer mouse is what will give your brain a good workout.
TAKE NEW ROUTES
Do you drive the same way to work every day? Try
changing up your commute. Following your typical route can put your brain on autopilot, providing little to no stimulation, while taking an unfamiliar route activates the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
LEARN A NEW SKILL
Have you always wanted to learn a new language or how
to play guitar? Learning a new skill is shown to improve memory function in older adults. Your brain is capable of learning new skills at any point in your life – it’s not too late to start!
USE ALL YOUR SENSES
This one seems so simple, but engaging your senses is one
of the best ways to stimulate your brain. Try camping or gardening, or even visiting a local farmer’s market where you can look, touch, smell,
taste and hear what’s going on around you.
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