8 Easy Ways to Improve Your Brain

If you had to make a choice, as you age would you rather have physical or mental decline? Neither right? But it does cause one to pause. The good news is that behaviors supporting one are also good for the other. Consider these simple ideas that will improve not only your brain but your body and overall quality of life.

When I was young we were told that the brain had a finite number of cells and it couldn’t create new ones. (One beer subtracted 100 cells from the cache.) 😊 We now know that isn’t true – the brain can rewire, adapt, create brand new cells and even the synapses (connectors) between cells. It’s definitely possible to remember names and where you left your keys!

Although there are times when medical intervention is necessary, there are simple non-medical ways you can contribute to being healthier and feeling your best. And, they’re within your control. It all comes down to lifestyle. We are creatures of habit (research suggests 40% of what we do is habit based) and we all have our various and unique preferences. But if we’re willing, we can influence both mental and thus physical well-being!

The brain is an organ and needs support just like other organs. Check out these “brainy” ideas, pick one or two to try and start small to avoid overload and quitting…!

1) Get off the couch. The simple act of standing up gets you started. Of course, what I’d really like is for you to get moving. Take a walk, if only to the mailbox first. Find a way to count your steps and strive for a few more each day. Options to insure you do it…get a friend to meet you. Walk in interesting places. Start a list of native plants or birds you see or count dog breeds walking through the city. Track different routes for distance. Get a dog (cats don’t need walking). Sign up for an organized walk or run. The point is to send more oxygen through your body, including your brain.

2) Give your body better fuel. Mostly that means eat more fresh food – not processed – and less sugar and ‘white’ foods. You don’t have to go overboard with “health foods” or choke down vegetables you detest. But you could add a protein smoothie in your favorite flavor. You could even add a few greens to the blender and never notice the taste difference. Ideas to get better fuel…make soup from scratch, add veggies to a sandwich. When veggies get old in your refrigerator puree them together in the blender and freeze. Add as thickener and nutrition to your next home made soup.

3) Practice gratitude. During covid I would wake in the middle of the night and worry. My mind was like a hamster on a wheel. Eventually I remembered a gratitude group I had been with years ago.

We were all health coaches on a conference call, complaining about who knows what. Someone said it wasn’t productive and we all agreed. So, each of us decided to choose something positive to do. One person said she was going to write in her gratitude journal. The next day we all got a copy of what she had written. We all responded with our own gratitude and for the next several years we would share gratitude, big and little, with each other most days of the work week. It was such a powerful lesson and tool for me.

4) Meditate – a very powerful tool and it's not woowoo! Meditating is something you probably do even unconsciously…It can vary significantly and be tailored to your needs and desires. You can look online, buy a book, of just decide to create your own practice, quietly sitting in a garden, listening to music or…???

5) Socialize – the brain works hard in social situations. That’s great news because socializing is something humans are prone to doing and enjoy. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert we all like to connect with others. You can tailor it to your preferences – going to a party, talking on the phone, helping others, volunteering, inviting someone for coffee or tea…there are endless possibilities. Socializing even is good for our physical health!

6) Play games – cards, online, board, or word games – so much fun and an easy way to keep in touch with friends as well as challenge our brains.

7) Do two things at once - how about reading while on a stationary bike, cooking and listening to a podcast, sing along to a playlist as you work out, e.g.. The possibilities are endless – it’s like walking and chewing gum!

8) Learn something new – the first things that come to my mind are learn a different language or a musical instrument. Regardless, its not about being good at anything, it’s about what you’d like to learn. Something artistic perhaps? I hear folks thinking, “I can’t do that” but you can…there are classes to learn practically anything and experience is a good teacher too. Overcome your resistance to trying that photography, watercolor painting or ‘how to build a website’ class you’ve thought about and stimulate your brain! I’m about to take my own advice and pull out my banjo!

Join me in improving your brain enacting at least one of these simple ideas!