Are you losing your car keys more often? Forgetting an appointment or having trouble finding the right word? For any serious worries, you should consult a health-care professional, but there are some simple things that can be done to boost your brain power on a daily basis.
 

• Eat healthy. Dark-colored vegetables and fruits and oily fish are known to improve the mind's ability to work. Think dark berries, grapes, spinach, kale, sardines and ocean tuna. Eating less sugar and refined carbohydrates (white bread, cookies, boxed cereals) will help keep your brain healthy, too.

 

• Drink plenty of fluids. Being dehydrated can cause confusion and fatigue. Your brain and body work best when fully-hydrated.

 

• Supplements are often touted to improve the mind or delay dementia, but, until there is more testing, there are no guarantees that any of the supplements will help boost your brain. Helpful possibilities include Omega-3 fatty acid and Ginkgo biloba. Vitamin E has also shown some promise, but, as with any medication or supplement, you should check with your doctor before adding anything to your daily regimen.

 

• Exercise. Even if you've been a couch potato all of your life, starting exercise in older age can help delay memory decline or even reverse changes that have started to happen. Active walking has been shown to help build important parts of the brain.

 

• Take a nap. Napping between 6 and 45 minutes has been proven to help cognitive activity. Even if you have trouble sleeping long hours as you age, a quick nap in the afternoon can improve how you think.

 

• Keep learning. If you already read a lot, trying finding some mathematical puzzles to stir up your figuring skills. Check out a continuing education class, learn a new card game or get lessons in a musical instrument. Above all, get your brain fully-engaged in something that really tests your brain power.

 

• Meditate, pray or just relax. Whatever method you choose, the value of being quiet, focusing and letting go of worries cannot be overestimated. Your brain will thank you.

 
Kim Rayas
Residence 600
[email protected]
www.residence600.com
600 E. Elm
Salina KS 67401
(785) 822-1300