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Technically speaking, your brain is an organ. But like your body’s muscles, your brain needs exercise to stay in peak condition. Your brain stops growing around the age of six, but you continue to refine your cognitive skills and problem solving ability throughout adolescence and into early adulthood.

Cognitive function includes:

  • Ability to focus while multitasking 
  • Capacity to remember facts and figures 
  • Speed to process new information

As you age, these abilities may continue to decrease, impacting your ability to think quickly, interpret information and remember even mundane things like where you put your car keys. 

Researchers say there are ways to “exercise” your brain that improve your cognitive function over the long term. These simple, everyday activities will help boost your brain and help prevent age-related degeneration.

 

Play a game

Games like chess, checkers or cards may help improve your memory, executive functioning and information processing speed. These activities offer social connections and have been shown to be effective at lowering the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. 

 

Do a puzzle

Crossword puzzles, sudoku and jigsaw puzzles are beneficial for the brain. Specifically, these activities improve memory, perception, reasoning and protect against brain aging.

 

Get social

Research has found that socializing may preserve cognitive function and improve your emotional health. Participating in discussions, playing games and engaging in group sports stimulate the brain.

 

Stay hydrated

Your brain is 75% water. If you don’t drink enough fluids then your cognitive performance could suffer. To stay hydrated, the National Academy of Medicine suggests women drink about nine cups of water per day; men should have 13 cups of water. The amount may vary based on activity level, body size, climate and other factors. 

 

Read a book

Reading novels has been shown to increase connectivity within the brain. But you don’t have to stick to fiction for a brain boost. Newspapers, magazines, nonfiction books, poetry and other sources are great ways to build brain connections.  

 

Be active

Physical exercise improves brain function and wellbeing, especially when it’s structured, repetitive and focused on a goal. Regular exercise can improve your brain’s ability to change (plasticity) while also supporting your emotional health. One study found moderate physical activity once a week increased cognitive function by 5% in men and 14% in women.

 

Listen to music

Music is based on mathematical relationships between notes. When listening, your brain must do a lot of computing to make sense of the sounds. Therefore, simply listening to your favorite music helps the different regions of your brain stay organized. 

 

Eat brain foods

A diet low in saturated and trans fats is good for your brain health. Foods rich in antioxidants can also slow brain aging process. Consider following the MIND Diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating patterns. This diet includes plant-based foods, fish and poultry along with leafy greens, berries and nuts.  

 

Call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-695-4362) to find a Catholic Health physician near you.

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