Tips for Keeping Your Mind Youthful

No one likes to see what old age does to some people’s minds. A bit of forgetfulness can be tolerated, but when it comes to complete, short term memory loss we are unable to live an independent life and must be cared for in a nursing home. The brain is a muscle and must be exercised to prevent degradation.

We can do this by choosing hobbies and interests that stimulate our thought processes. Crossword puzzles, sudoku, and games like chess are all good fun and stimulate our cognitive ability. Varying the mental challenges we set ourselves is also good. Just as our bodies need a variety of exercises to promote good health, so do our brains. A variety of mental challenges will keep it stimulated and active.

Physical exercise is great for our brains as it stimulates the blood flow. No part of our body can live and be healthy without adequate blood as that is what takes nutrients into the tissues. It’s the same for the brain. A brisk walk will blow away the cobwebs and make us feel more alert and refreshed. Your exercise level will need to be determined by your age and health. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program to make sure it is right for you.

Social interaction is as important as exercise in stimulating our brain. The more people we talk with the better. Emotional ties with family make us feel loved, wanted and boost our self-esteem. When this happens we are flooded with positive emotions that stimulate us and reduce unhealthy stress levels. Hugs from our children are one of life’s best de-stressors.

Reducing stress prevents aging damage by free radicals. Take a few minutes each day or several times a day to reduce your stress levels by chatting to friends, listening to nice music or meditating. A walk around the garden to admire the flowers is a great stress reducer. Having coffee with a friend is too, so long as your friend doesn’t dump all her problems on you.

What we eat also affects our brains. Make sure omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants; unsaturated fats, fruit and vegetables are all a part of your daily diet. Even very moderate alcohol consumption has been linked with a beneficial affect on the brain.

That old adage,

Tips for Combating Stress and Slowing the Aging Process

It’s a well-known fact that constant stress has an aging effect on the body. It doesn’t take long for those in top government positions to go gray or lose their hair, both signs of aging. Of course stress is not limited to government officials. Most people suffer from stress of some kind during their lifetime. They may have a stressful job, or relationships that become stressful for a variety of reasons. Or they may live in an environment that places stressful demands on their body. Stress can be both physical and emotional/mental.

During stressful times, our bodies form a great deal more than usual of the hormone called Cortisol. In fact this hormone has become known as the stress hormone. It causes changes such as premature aging and middle torso weight gain to occur. So if you see someone with a paunch the cause could be stress rather than over-eating.

Want to stay younger, longer? If we lower our stress levels, not only will we feel happier, but also our bodies will maintain a normal level of Cortisol and thus prevent this cause of aging. It is well worthwhile learning techniques to relax our bodies physically, because this will also help us to combat emotional stress. Eastern mystics have always taught that the body cannot be separated from the mind; now western medics agree.. The two are inextricably interwoven and what affects one will affect the other.

While you can learn specific techniques to relax both muscles and ligaments, listening to soothing music can have the same effect. Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises are also helpful. Moderate exercise is great for easing tense muscles and reducing emotional and mental tension. Our grandparents often pulled weeds from the garden as an antidote to anger or being upset.

If stress is caused by being in demand for every minute of the day, such as when you have young children, then it is necessary – but not easy – to set aside a few minutes each day just for yourself. This time should be filled with happy thoughts, not making a mental list of everything that still needs to be done.

It’s a good idea to start a happiness journal and write down all the things that make you happy each day. Just reading it when you feel down will help you to feel better. If you are stressed out by a heavy workload, whether at work or at home, see if some tasks can be delegated or simply left undone. Making the time to take up a hobby or sport of some kind can also relieve stress.