I have a member of my family who is struggling with their memory and independence. It came out of the blue and has shook our family. For this reason, I feel more motivated than ever to keep my brain as healthy and sharp as I can, for as long as I can.

*This is not an evidence-based post. I am just sharing my ideas on how to look after your brain.*

Critical thinking made fun

This is the most fun way and the one I thought of when deciding to do this post. I have games/apps on my phone that help me to think critically. To use my brain instead of doing mind numbing activities like going on social media when I’m bored.

Here are some of the things I do every day to help my brain and get the problem solving and critical thinking skills going:

New York Times puzzles: Connections, Wordle, Pips, Strands, Tiles, Letterboxd, CrosswordBrain Test appDuolingo

Second language

Speaking of Duolingo, learning another language is so important for community and connection with other people and cultures, but it’s also great for the brain. I’ve heard that those who know more than one language (and use them frequently) have much healthier brains. You don’t have to be good at it, just 10 minutes a day on Duolingo can do you a world of good, though! It activates other parts of the brain that you may not be using enough.

I do Japanese and Spanish.

Exercise

Exercise of any kind is good for the body but it sharpens the brain and mind too. Don’t skip on a workout. Your brain will thank you for it. Even a short workout or a walk outside can be beneficial to the working of your brain.

Think about it, our sedentary lifestyle in today’s society has meant we are less naturally active than our ancestors. It’s more important than ever to work exercise into our daily routine.

Complex conversations

Mindless gossip or shallow conversation may not be great for the mind, but in depth talks about complex issues can be. It triggers your critical thinking skills and empathy. It helps you see from other perspectives and learn new things. We all have opinions or experiences or things we have learned overtime that we can teach to others.

Sharing our thoughts in a healthy and safe environment can mean using parts of the brain that we don’t necessarily use often. Being able to explain something to someone else in a way that they understand is a good marker of intelligence and healthy brain function.

Reading

I’m an avid reader anyway but I know reading is healthy for my brain. It might not matter what you read necessarily, just that you ensure you’re reading a little every day. It’s a gentle activity that can do wonders for the brain as it engages in imagination and creativity, alongside critical thinking and memory to keep up with the storyline or teachings of the book.

Less scrolling

Substitute your bored scrolling with one of the other things on this list. Social media may be fun and it definitely has its place in today’s society. However, it’s not doing our brain many favours. In fact, it’s information overload which can be exhausting. You may think it’s a healthy break from thinking and stressing, but your mind is taking in information without you realising it that can be having a negative effect.

Diet and sleep

Lastly, practice good food choices and sleep routines to improve your brain function. The best foods for you may depend upon your individual health so I can’t say for sure. However, as a good rule, aim for less processed foods and more whole foods.

Processed foods aren’t helping our brains in the long run, even though they taste good and we get a dopamine rush from eating them. Whole foods are brain foods. Choose foods as close to their natural source as possible.

A good night’s sleep is your brain’s chance to relax and send you dreams and solve problems without stress. Rest and recovery are key for our bodies but our brains too.

Don’t skip meals or sleep. Don’t eat junk! Your brain will thank you for it.

Doing these things may not prevent brain diseases, but it could delay them. Not to mention that we just want to be healthy enough to live a full, normal life regardless. Take good care and consult a doctor if you’re worried about your brain.

Sincerely,

S. xx