To keep a brain in great shape, there are principles to keep in mind: you have to stimulate it, protect it because it is fragile, maintain it through a healthy diet and physical activity and maintain relationships. social. No need to do math exercises, you can stimulate your brain with very simple activities!
Neurosciences affirm it: stimulating its brain by offering it motivating situations and exercises allows it to create new neurons and new connections.
This is called the brain plasticity and this property remains operative at any age. It allows us to maintain our faculties of concentration and learning throughout life, and to delay cognitive aging (memory loss, balance problems, slight depression, etc.)
1. Play to stimulate your brain
Play is the most natural way to learn because it stimulates attention and skill. It is also the opportunity for social interaction, especially board games (yes, yes, even a simple goose game). The WHO even advises stimulating the brain by playing network games, which can also overcome isolation.
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There are only good things to be learned while playing even if, for video games, it remains a question of dose because the risk of overconsumption is very present.
2. Read for fun
Reading is the best stimulus because it works your whole brain. We are constantly working our whole brain. When we read, we do visual recognition, we interpret symbols that remind us of emotions, ideas, memories. Captivated by this activity, the whole brain is mobilized, whether for novels, essays, practical manuals or even comics and manga.
3. Engage in physical activity
Going out to get some fresh air is pleasant but also useful for stimulating the brain. Physical activities outside or at home (yoga, gym, treadmill…) are excellent.
Regular practice of a sport as simple as brisk walking allows improved cognitive abilities, and she could even protect against certain pathologies of the brain such as neurodegenerative diseases and depression.
4. Do meditation
In December 2017, a study conducted at Inserm in Caen among seniors aged 65 and over showed that meditation had a positive effect on cerebral aging by boosting cognitive functions.
Researchers believe that it is possible to optimize your level of attention by focusing and synchronizing your breathing (practice of cardiac coherence).
5. Exposing yourself to the sun
Lack of exposure to light because it is one of the main factors that allows the manufacture of vitamin D, essential for the balance of our neurons and bone density. It is estimated that a daily exposure of 30 minutes is required to get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation may be helpful.
6. Limit your exposure to screens
Limiting your exposure to screens is important, especially in front of the mobile phone (social networks) and television (24-hour news channels) because this contributes to maintain stress and what is called infobesity. As with your meals, you have to “consume” the information at a fixed time and set specific schedules for teleworking. It is also necessary avoid blue light screens after 6 or 8 p.m. They are sleep disruptors.
