When it comes to wellness, you might feel like you’ve heard it all. Eat well, exercise, take time to meditate, and care for yourself…all essential advice you know quite well.
However, Mamas, there’s an element of wellness you might never have considered. We’re talking about your brain.
When discussing wellness and the brain, your mind might jump to mental health. It’s true, that mental health is an integral part of holistic wellness. Today, though, we want to talk to you about the physical health of your brain.
We spend much of our early life developing an adult brain, with full maturation occurring at about 25. By age 30, however, the brain begins to shrink. Most notably, the hippocampus and frontal lobe. The hippocampus is located deep in the temporal lobe and is responsible for memory and learning. The frontal lobes help control our behavior and emotional responses.
While brain shrinkage is a normal part of aging, you can help strengthen these areas of the mind with targeted exercises. The best part? Most of them are pretty fun! Read on to find our favorite way to increase your intellectual wellness.
Brain Games
We all know that we have to exercise to develop stronger muscles. The same is true of the brain! Lucky for us, Mamas, there are no weights required. The best way to do this? Family game night!
Yup, you heard correctly. Playing games can be a great way to increase brain power. Games require you to use skills like memorization, strategy, and problem-solving. These skills can help strengthen the brain, and create greater mental flexibility.
We love games such as Memory, Chess, or checkers to increase brain function. Don’t have anyone to play with? No problem!
There are a variety of apps available that offer games designed to improve brain function. Check out Lumosity to learn more about their science-backed games.
Read a Book
Who doesn’t love curling up with a good book at the end of the day? Not only can you be transported to another world, but you might also be doing your brain a big favor.
Reading forces our brains to focus for long stretches of time. Focusing this way can help improve concentration in other areas of our lives.
It’s also a great way to expose our brains to new vocabulary. Studies have shown that the process of learning new words can help to build neurons in the brain. The addition of new neurons can help increase your ability to process information in everyday life.
So, go ahead. Read one more chapter, even if it’s a little past your bedtime.
Learn A New Skill
One of the best ways to keep our brains sharp, is to consistently challenge them. Learning a new skill is a great way to enrich your life, while keeping your brain in tip-top shape.
While any new skill will help you enrich your brain health, we highly recommend looking into learning an instrument. Playing an instrument is the ultimate workout for the brain. Because most instruments require you to use both hands, it can help with coordination, as well as gross and fine motor skills.
Practice Movement Sequencing
Are you known for owning the dance floor at every wedding you go to? It’s time to put your skills to use, for the health of your brain!
Activities like dance that require you to practice movement sequencing will keep your brain healthy and active. Learning new choreography and dance moves will help you develop neural connections in the regions of the brain that affect long-term memory and spatial recognition.
Got two left feet? Things like yoga and gymnastics can provide a similar effect, as they are both physically and mentally challenging.
Learn a Language
Dreaming of sitting at a Parisian cafe and ordering a croissant so smoothly that people wonder if you are a local?
Okay, maybe it’s not totally realistic. But that’s no reason to get rid of your dreams of learning a second language! After all, it’s one of the best things you can do to improve your intellectual wellness!
Learning a new language has been proven to increase mental flexibility. It’s not surprising. The ability to switch back and forth between two different languages requires a huge amount of agility.
Additionally, research continues to show that learning a new language improves mental cognition. It can actually help reduce your risk for diseases such as dementia and Alzheimers.
Socialize
We all know that spending quality time with family and friends can be a powerful tool in maintaining optimal mental health. However, did you know it could have a positive effect on the physical parts of your brain?
Because socialization requires us to speak and interpret the language and tone of those around us, it is a great way to improve cognitive function.
Next time you are having that girl’s night, know that you are actually doing something great for your mind and body!
Eat Brain Food
While there is no magical food that will keep your brain in perfect health, you can certainly support it by eating a varied, healthy diet. Things like omega-3 rich fatty fish, leafy greens, and berries packed full of antioxidants, all work together to support a strong brain.
Have you ever considered your intellectual wellness? How do you take care of your brain? Share with us in the comments below!