Keep Your Mind Sharp With These 5 Simple Tips

posted on: Sunday April 20, 2014

Whether you are calculating multivariate statistics, or simply trying to stay alert during a long meeting, keeping your mind sharp matters. Luckily, the steps to exercising your brain are easier than you may think.

“Exercise is just as healthy for your mind as it is for your body,” explains Christine Blue, DO, an osteopathic psychiatrist specializing in general and geriatric psychiatry from Lewisburg, W.Va. “Regular physical exercise will not only help your cardiovascular health, but it will increase blood flow to the brain and help with your creativity and memory.”

In addition, the calming benefits of exercising will reduce stress, which can cause memory problems. Physical activity can also prevent depression, which slows thinking. Exercise will clear the mind and allow for creative thinking and a problem-solving state of mind. For example, studies have shown that after walking for 15 minutes, individuals will increase their memory and ability to multi-task by more than 15%. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, are also beneficial for the brain.