According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults experienced mental illness. The pandemic had a significant negative impact on our mental health.
We know that every brain changes with age, and so does mental performance. Mental decline is a common issue, and it is one of the most dreaded outcomes of aging.
Today I am going to share some mindfulness habits to keep your brain healthy. Here are the ways you can keep your brain healthy and strong.
#1 Update its software regularly
The brain is our personal supercomputer and the most complex organ in the human body that controls emotion, memory, motor skill, breathing, temp, hunger, thoughts, and every process to keep us alive.
It’s our duty to keep our brain healthy by constantly feeding him what he needs to perform optimally.
a. Books
Reading strengthens your brain.
Research shows that reading changes your mind. The analysis also confirmed that reading is a difficult task that uses a complex network of signals and circuits.
b. Podcasts
Listening to podcasts can benefit your brain — podcasts like meditation and comedy.
c. Experience
I believe whatever we experience leaves a mark on our brain. When you learn something new, neurons in your brain build new connections.
Your brain might create new neurons. Physical exercises, especially in nature, will give you a similar benefit. Here is an excellent article on how hiking changes your brain.
#2 Protect its battery power
a. Sleep 7–8 hours
Sleep is paramount for the brain to function properly, including how the neurons communicate with each other.
It’s a fact that your brain and body stay active while you sleep. It’s like hibernation mode on a PC; therefore, you don’t forget anything. Here is a great article on sleep science to learn more.
b. Connect with nature
Nature has a positive impact on our brains and behavior. A long walk outdoors will help you reduce anxiety and stress, increase your focus and creativity, and maybe create new neuro paths.
Nature is the best remedy for almost anything in life. I highly recommend going for long walks to help your brain stay in great shape.
c. Digital detox
A digital detox will help your brain stay on the same task and increase your focus and creativity. In the end, you will do things fast. Here is a great article on how the cell phone destroys our lives.
#3 Clean its hardware
When you feel sad or depressed, a backlog of bad thoughts might get stuck in your system.
It’s the right time to clean your brain. Here are a couple of tips to clean your brain and make some space for good thoughts.
a. Journaling
If you want to get rid of stress, write down all the thoughts on paper, causing a mental blockage. Writing down all the thoughts will help you to find the root cause.
Study shows that journaling can help you to reduce intrusive thoughts.
b. Go for a long walk
I use this trick all the time to clear my mind; I always prefer to go for a long walk. The best part is that a good long walk in the nature or suburban area will always boost your creativity.
c. Take a power nap
Sleep is essential to function properly; as I mentioned, you need a quality sleep of 7–8 hours + power naps for optimal performance. If you are mentally tired, try to take a power nap.
The bottom line
To sum up, always take care of your brain by giving it what it needs to perform all the complex tasks. Let me recall all the points.
- Update its software regularly: read great books, listen to podcasts, and travel.
- Protect is battery power: sleep 7–8 hours, spend time in nature and stay away from technology for 24 hours a week.
- Clean its hardware: jot down all the thoughts, go for long walks, and incorporate power naps in your daily schedule.
