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How To Keep Your Brain Active At Any Age

There are 80 to 100 billion neurons in a human brain, leading to a complex network of hundreds of trillions of synapses that enable brain cells to communicate with each other. With all that complexity, the process of work of our mind remains a mystery. One of the biggest impacts of aging is the thinning of the frontal cortex that contributes to the formation of memories and concentration. To keep your mind clear and memory sharp, you should follow simple steps.

Move. Yes, it’s that simple. As we age, our brain cells, or neurons, lose the tree-branch-like connections between them. Quite literally, over time, our brain cells loose their heft. Aerobic exercise is one of the best ways to keep your brain strong.

Eat Well. No, not those Flaming Hot Cheetos that stain your fingers orange for a week…We’re talking about stuff like fruits and vegetables, which are packed with antioxidants, as are some beans, whole grains, nuts, and spices.

Exercise Your Mind. Working on a jigsaw puzzle or a LEGO, learning a new language, or even playing ping-pong can keep your brain young and supple.

Keep Calm & Carry On. Did that make you tense? If so, work on keeping it cool. It will only degrade your memory and limit your ability to learn. Besides, worrying doesn’t solve problems, it creates more.

Laugh. Obviously, don’t force it, or maybe do… or maybe don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud and enjoy the lighter side of life. Your gray matter will thank you for years to come.

Meditate. Recollecting a positive emotion or imagining a pleasurable scene during meditation quickly changes your heart rate variability towards coherence. Balanced and harmonious heart rhythm affects the emotional state and your brain, creating stability and signaling that everything in the body is working well. The benefits of mindfulness meditation include psychological well-being and alleviation of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, or chronic pain. All of these lead to quality life and longevity.

Posted with permission from pickthebrain.com.