Move to increase your MOOD.
Exercise causes your brain to release 'feel good' chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that help improve your mood.
Why is mental exercise important?
According to the Alzheimer's Association, research shows that keeping your brain active increases its vitality. Doing new things in new ways appears to help retain brain cells and connections. It may even produce new brain cells. In essence, breaking out of your routine can help keep your brain stay healthy.
When it comes to exercising our bodies, we often think about going for a run or hitting the gym. But what about exercising our minds? Just like our physical health, mental fitness is equally important. Luckily, there are various types of exercises that can help keep our minds sharp and agile.
One popular form of mental exercise is mindfulness meditation. This practice involves focusing your attention on the present moment and calmly observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By regularly practicing mindfulness meditation, you can train your mind to stay focused and reduce stress.
Another effective exercise for the mind is journaling. Writing down your thoughts and emotions allows you to reflect on them more deeply, gaining insight into yourself and your experiences. It's a great way to process difficult emotions or simply foster self-awareness.
Puzzles and brain games are also fantastic tools for exercising the mind. Whether it's solving crosswords, playing Sudoku, or tackling riddles, these activities challenge your cognitive abilities such as memory, problem-solving skills, and logical thinking.
Engaging in creative activities like painting or playing an instrument can also be beneficial for the mind. These activities encourage self-expression while stimulating different areas of the brain associated with creativity and imagination.
Reading books stimulates the mind by expanding knowledge and exposing us to new ideas. It enhances critical thinking skills as we analyse information presented in texts.
Incorporating a variety of these exercises into your daily routine can help improve cognitive function overall! So why not give them a try? Your mind will thank you!