We’ve all made our New Year’s resolutions, right? Judging from the crowd at Subway this afternoon, I’m not the only person who has vowed to eat healthier. With any resolution or lifestyle change, the trick is to stick with it – to remind yourself of why it’s important to you each and every day.
One resoluiton everyone should make is to become more mentally fit. Fortunately, with all the wonderful brain games available online, this is one resolution that’ll be fun to keep. Below are other Brain Fitness tips that’ll help us become more mentally fit – some will even encourage physical fitness along with mental fitness… Sort of a two for one deal!
- We already know how wonderful fish is for your heart. Research shows that it is also very good for your mental health. The brain is largely composed of fat and water, and it craves polyunsaturated fats – especially the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. Apparently, eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids also wards off depression. Countries with the highest fish consumption (such as Japan and Finland) have the lower rates of depression.
- Become an Agatha Christie groupie. There is something deliciously fun about reading Agatha Christie mysteries. She was one of the greatest authors of all time and can spin a mystery like no one else. How does that benefit your brain? As someone who collects and reads this great lady’s many, many novels – I can tell you this: An Agatha Christie novel is a fun mental workout. She always has a large, rich cast of characters in her stories. Generally speaking, because of the time they were written, there are always people, places, and things that aren’t very familiar. It’s mentally stimulating to keep track of the who’s and what’s – to say nothing of the where’s. I highly, highly recommend reading Agatha Christie. It’s also fun to collect her books. Click HERE for a full list of her wonderful mysteries. I’ve compiled them on a white page that’s perfect for printing out (and carrying to the bookstore and/or library!).
- Not only is fish wonderful for our minds, apples and blueberries have also been proven to have positive effects on our minds.
- If you’re like me, you’re looking for ways to get the most out of every dollar you spend. That certainly counts for the newspaper. After reading your paper each day, work the puzzles that are included in just about every newspaper. They’re usually really challenging, so don’t be despaired if you don’t get all the answers, your brain’s still getting a first class workout.
- Begin taking a different route every now and again when you’re going to the store or work. This may seem like a small, insignificant thing – but our minds THRIVE on variety. Our brain cells get all kinds of happy when we mix things up. Even brushing your teeth or eating with a different hand than normal stimulates brain cells.
Speaking of Brain fitness and brain games, there are a lot of great websites devoted to the subject. I just added a link category called Brain Games. If you have a website or blog you’d like me to add to the list, please link this blog on your site, then e-mail me. I’m as big an advocate for mental fitness and warrior in the fight against mental decline, dementia, and alzheimer’s as anyone. I’d love to partner with as many people as possible.
The more on the team, the better!
Make each moment count double,
~Joi
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