Watching my friends Mom jump on board the Candy Crush craze initially had me shaking my head in wonder. Why was this intelligent lady choosing to play an online game instead of being outdoors, reading a book or cooking up a storm? It was most unlike her. But as she successfully made her way up through the levels, I could see how happy it made her. She plays for short stints at a time. She feels successful with every level she passes. And she is lively, switched-on and energized after the play.
Scientists have disproved the phrase ‘you can’t teach old dogs new tricks’ with countless studies about the ability of the brain to adapt and change, even into old age.
So let’s start a list of some fun ways to increase your mental alertness and harness the power of your brain.
- Learn a musical instrument. Clear your head and release some built up frustration with a drum kit, or take piano lessons.
- Make time for family and friends. Start conversations, have a few laughs, join a book club, introduce yourself to the stranger you nod to regularly as you go about your day, volunteer your time to an organization you support.
- Start a new sport. Pick up a tennis racket, start yoga, go to dance classes.
- Start doing crosswords. Complete all the questions you know, and find the answers to those you don’t.
- Eat well. Increasing your diet to include sources of Omega 3 (salmon, tuna, sardines) is beneficial for brain health.
- Get good sleep! When you’re sleep deprived your brain doesn’t operate at full capacity.
- Exercise. Not everyone’s favourite thing to build into their daily routine, but even a short daily walk or a 15-minute dance-a-thon in your lounge room will increase the oxygen levels to your brain.
- Meditation. Taking time out to meditate can increase your focus and concentration, creativity and learning. Studies show the benefits of meditation in helping depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
What do you do to increase your mental alertness?
Great work over again! I am looking forward for more updates;)
at 76 feel not doing enough to stay mentally sharp HELP
Hi Lawrence,
I found this article – which might help you stay sharp: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/healthy-ageing-stay-mentally-active
Scroll down to the section with tips about improving your mental fitness. It includes tips like:
– Keep up your social life and engage in plenty of stimulating conversations.
– Read newspapers, magazines and books.
– Play ‘thinking’ games like Scrabble, cards and Trivial Pursuit.
– Do crossword puzzles and word games.
– Watch ‘question and answer’ game shows on television, and play along with the contestants.
All of these tips are achievable for a 76 year old!
Hope that helps,
Kylie
Community Manager
Valuable information. Fortunate me I found your web site accidentally, and
I’m stunned why this twist of fate did not happened earlier!
I bookmarked it.
i love sudoku,3d game’s,work every time,
Hi are games good for lift UP my mental alertness? Playing some strategic game and think it break my head sometimes but using escitalopram. Is there any connection between this medicine and mental alertness?
Sudoku, weaving, bible study, child care, words with friends, proper diet and this winter…snow shovelling!
Sudoku, weaving, bible study, child care, words with friends, proper diet and this winter…snow shovelling!
I have a phenomenal mind, I’m usually out of it’-;#
Speaking of silly games…
I’ve found my problem solving skills at work improve as a result of playing more difficult levels of sudoku. In our finance department I analyze and problem-solve every day. Sudoku has brought me up several levels and has helped my logic work better. Pretty cool!
As a Chopra Center Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor I just LOVE that you placed MEDITATION in your list of fun ways to to increase your mental alertness and harness the power of your brain!! of cour being a PSM instructor I would of put it first in the list! 😉