Health

I decided in December that I needed to get back to blogging. I wanted to do this because I enjoyed writing when I was doing it regularly. I have vowed to post at least once a week. That is my goal for the year with my blogs.

I think I have interesting things to say but even if others don’t find it interesting, it is a way to track my thoughts at the time. I am not getting any younger you know and we all know that the memory starts to fade as we get older. Well, I am not sure that is really true but it is the excuse everyone uses.

In reality, I think that as long as the mind is being used and tested on a regular basis, there is no need for the memories to start fading. Like the old saying goes…Use It or Lose It!! Blogging is one of those ways to “keep using it”.

Exercising your brain on a regular basis is as important as exercising the rest of your body. An old Chinese Proverb states “The palest ink is better than the best memory.” Is this true or does it have to be? I am not sure, but one thing I know is that I use my brain every day and so far so good.

There are several things we can do to exercise our brains and help keep ourselves sharp.

• Physical exercise helps to keep our mind sharp. Walking and running are good ways to think. Many people do their best thinking when they are out for a walk or run. Strength exercises are also good for thinking. The concentration required to correctly do resistance exercises makes the brain work to remember correct form. If you are not thinking of that correct form it is a good possibility you will injure yourself from that incorrect form.
• Hobbies are a good way to exercise the brain. Whether you are writing, sewing, building models, reading, building things, taking pictures, drawing/painting pictures etc., you are using your mind. Find a hobby and do it regularly and it will not only reduce stress in your life, your brain will benefit.
• You are never too old to learn. I know it is an old saying but it is true. Try to learn something new every day. Whether you are learning a new language or updating your education. Whether you are learning something on the job or just reading something you didn’t know before. Just make a vow to learn something new and keep learning new things.
• Treat others as you would expect them to treat you. Equally important is to treat yourself as you would expect others to treat you. Your mind will be sharper, you will be happier and your attitude will improve because of the reduced stress. This is also contagious and would be a benefit to everyone.
• Do the little things with your mind. If you need to do some basic math, try using your brain rather than using a calculator. Whether you do it in your head or with a pencil and paper, the thought process of doing it by yourself will strengthen your memory. When was the last time you did basic math functions by yourself? This is one thing I do all the time.
• Learn from everything you do. If you are driving somewhere, think of the best route to travel. Map it out in your mind. Cutting the lawn? What is the most efficient path to follow to do it the quickest way? Typing something? Try doing it without automatic spell check enabled. Double check your work manually first. Can’t remember or don’t know how to spell a word? Look it up in a dictionary (online or physical) and learn how to spell the word and learn the meaning of the word. If you are writing something by hand (I know, who does that anymore?) then concentrate on making it as neat as possible. The little things we do help to strengthen the brain and as a result the memory.

We all want to be healthy. Being healthy means we can live a happy life. Since everything runs through the brain, it’s a good thing to make sure that the brain is exercised and kept healthy.

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