Health is one of the most valuable things we have in this world. While we can’t control every aspect of our healthiness, we can work towards creating a healthier version of ourselves with each new day. This doesn’t only apply to physical health either. Our mental health can be exercised daily, which leads to a healthier and happier way of living. The best part is that breaking a mental sweat can often be pretty fun! Here are a few great ways to work out your mental muscles.
Learn Something New
There’s no better way to get your brain working than making an effort to learn a new skill or subject. This could take shape in the form of a new language, musical instrument, or memorizing the statistics of the 2001 Chicago White Sox team. There are more apps than ever to assist you in whatever educational journey you choose to venture into. The best part of this strategy is that your brain will naturally continue to be challenged as you progress in your craft.
Mentally Stimulating Games and Puzzles
The next time you are about to get your ridiculously long receipt while checking out at your local CVS or Walgreens, go on and grab yourself one of the Crossword, Sudoku, or other puzzle magazines that you’ve always passed by before. These challenges help keep the brain sharp and come in different difficulty levels. Once again, apps have made this easier than ever. Trivia, word games, puzzles, and all sorts of fun brain teasers can be found on your phone.
Physical Exercise
While mental health and physical health have their own characteristics, the two are also intimately tied together. Taking care of our body by eating right and exercising greatly improves our mental health as well. Working out can reduce the likelihood of cognitive impairment and dementia as we grow older.
Meditate
There are many benefits to meditation. It reduces anxiety and lessens stress while allowing us to slow down. This can often lead to a mental clarity feeling, but the benefits go beyond that. Meditation is a fine-tuning of the brain and increases our ability to remember information that we process throughout the day.
You’ve already begun some mental crunches by choosing to read this work out and take action after. How’s that brain workout burn feel? Keep it up!
Cover image from Olav Ahrens Rotne
