The most important tip for longevity: keep your memory sharp
The ultimate anti-aging trick? Brain exercises.
Longevity always requires you to be healthy both physically and mentally. And although it doesn’t often get as much attention as regular physical exercise, you can do exercises to help keep your brain in shape.
“One of the keys to longevity is to constantly exercise our brain with stimulating activities that bring us happiness,” Dr. Lori Archibald BannonMD, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Virginia, tells Yahoo Life.
It’s completely normal for your brain to change over time, Archbald-Pannone says — but during these changes it’s important to keep your brain healthy. “Our brain is a powerful organ that controls our bodies, our movements, our emotions and everything in between,” she says. “That’s why it’s so important to engage your brain and keep it healthy and active as the ultimate anti-aging strategy.”
Archbald-Pannone recommends doing the following daily activities to keep your mind sharp, no matter your age.
Keep a gratitude journal.
A gratitude journal is simply a place where you can write down the things you are grateful for. Archibald Bannon says, “Focus on three things that went well for us that day, or three things that bring us happiness.” Studies have shown that this improves our mood and emotions [and] Our general health, reduce the risk of depression. “
Go for a daily walk.
Yes, getting fit will also help boost your memory. “Our brain and body are interconnected,” Archibald-Bannon notes, adding, “To keep our minds active, we need to keep our bodies active.”
If you’re able, she suggests taking a daily walk outdoors. “Fresh air can release endorphins in your brain, reduce your stress, increase your energy and help with your overall health,” she says. But if you can’t move easily, she suggests simply doing everything you can to be active.
Reach out to a friend or family member.
Connecting with your loved ones can help keep your memory sharp. “Feeling part of a community is an important part of combating isolation, which can improve our health, improve our mood, and improve brain function,” says Archibald Bannon.
This may mean being physically with loved ones, having video visits, or phone calls. “The key is to stay connected and stay connected as part of the community,” she says. Archibald Bannon says this “boosts our mood, boosts our energy level, and boosts our serotonin level, which is like the happy hormone in our brains and can bring us more happiness.”
Try something new.
This could be anything, says Archibald Bannon. “Choose a new hobby, learn a new language, try a new activity,” she says. “The key is to build on your curiosity, get your brain working, learn something new, work differently and have some challenge.”
A new skill requires repetition, problem-solving, memory skills, and curiosity—these are all important factors when it comes to keeping brain cells active and brains healthy, she explains.
Get a good sleep.
Your body needs rest in order to function properly. That’s why Archbald-Pannone says good sleep is a must. This helps you to “be able to recharge and do it all over again the next day”.
Last Research Restful sleep even helps get rid of beta-amyloid, proteins that have been linked to the development of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, notes Archibald Bannon.
If you struggle to get proper sleep, she suggests you follow a regular nighttime routine, limit alcohol or caffeine and turn off screens at least an hour before you go to bed.
It can be overwhelming about making changes to your routine, Archibald-Bannon says, which is why she suggests giving yourself “the grace to start slow.”
“Find something you enjoy doing, find something you want to do every day and build that up slowly,” she says. “Over time, it will become a habit, and then there is time to put a new one in its place.”