Boost Your Brain's horsepower - and your Happiness - with these 3 Easy Steps
Your intelligence can grow and improve at any age and it is possible to increase brain power even in the golden years. And Scientists agree this is true. A combination of lifestyle adjustments and mental exercises has been shown to not only increase intelligence, but also to improve general brain health and help prevent disorders associated with aging.
According to many Doctors, the key is to stay mentally active despite your age. The brain is a complex organ and just as your muscles grow and strengthen at any age, so can your brain regenerate new connections and improve its function.
No matter which generation you're a part of, the following tips can help boost your mental activity and increase your intelligence quotient (aka, IQ):
1. Memorize Things- There is no shortage of contemporary studies that show a powerful correlation between a strong working memory and overall intelligence. A good memory has also been shown to slow down mental aging. Therefore, memorizing almost anything is one of the best exercises you can give your brain. Start small by memorizing your To-Do list or your daily schedule. Step it up a notch and memorize a poem or two. Take a college course and study something you wish you had done in your youth. Doing any of these exercises can potentially lead to quick and substantial improvement in your mental sharpness.
2. Find a New Hobby- Gardening, photography (great in Palm Springs), collecting, rock climbing, etc.; taking on any new hobby is good for mental stimulation as well as your overall mood. Finding activities you really enjoy allows you to learn and have fun all at the same time by providing a focus for your life other than watching TV. All of these traits are a part of living a happy and rewarding life, and remaining mentally sharp.
3. Be Your Own Challenge- The worst thing you can do is to fall into a daily routine that is so structured you feel it can not change. Why do that to yourself? It is one thing to keep a schedule or to plan out the events of your day. It's quite another to build a routine that is so fixed that it makes you ill to miss something. Falling into rigid patterns promotes mental passivity, or the opposite of stimulation. So mix it up! Challenge yourself by participating in new activities. Here in Palm Springs, we have walking clubs, hiking clubs, wonderful Senior Centers, cultural events, volunteerism and so much more. The point is that too much structure can make life very dull.
Start implementing these easy steps today to bring sharpness, clarity, and happiness into your life!
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