Your brain may not be a muscle, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t benefit from a little exercise. Keep your brain healthy and strong by pushing it with regular workouts. That might mean a morning crossword puzzle, a card game with friends, or an afternoon yoga session. All can go a long way in keeping your mind razor sharp as you age. Here are five tried and true ways to stay in prime mental shape.

Brain Games

You’re never too old to play! Get your mind moving with crosswords, sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles. The science is shaky as to whether or not brain games actually boost memory or cognition, but it certainly doesn’t hurt – and it’s a great way to pass the time. Gather around a puzzle with friends. Or attend a card game gathering at one of our Brightwater Senior Living communities. The social benefits can be invaluable!

Learn Something New

Stimulate your brain by learning something new. That might mean picking up a new skill or hobby, taking a class, or reading a book. Learning is said to have cognitive benefits, so find something that interests you and dive in! With activities like computer and internet classes, arts and crafts classes, creative writing meetups, and book clubs, Brightwater Senior Living communities make it easy to keep your mind engaged.

Music

Few things get the brain going like music. The research proves it! Some of the benefits include improved sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. Know how to play an instrument? Playing music is also a brain-booster. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you might even try learning a new instrument!

Fitness

Regular physical exercise is your brain’s best friend. It can increase blood flow to your brain and pump more oxygen into your bloodstream, thereby helping produce neurons in areas of the brain that control memory and thinking. Exercise truly is a boost for both the body and the mind. So keep moving! At Brightwater, we are dedicated to fitness. Our group and individual exercise programs are crafted to bring out the best in our residents, promoting strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, and overall well-being.

Nutrition

Research points to diet as a key contributor to cognitive health. Make eating right an exercise you incorporate into your daily life and reap the benefits. Some of the best brain foods out there, according to researchers, include leafy green vegetables, fish, berries, walnuts, and tea and coffee. Such foods are rich in brain-boosting substances like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants.

Looking for more tips on senior living and aging? Check out the Brightwater Senior Living blog!