10 ways to keep your mind active

Using your mind to figure out where pieces go isn’t just for kids or something to pass time in lockdown. A study on how undertaking jigsaws affects the brain and aging found that jigsaw puzzling ‘strongly engages multiple cognitive abilities and long term…experiences (that) benefit cognition.’ So next time someone thinks it’s just a silly hobby, let them know you’re actually brain training! 

Playing games isn’t just for kids – it is a way to stimulate your mind for a true brain workout! Games such as chess, sudoku, solitaire, puzzles and artistic endeavours that require concentration is what the Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation state are a ‘simple way to keep yourself sharp.’ 

Additionally, a University of Melbourne (UoM) study found undertaking activities such as ‘action video games’ (e.g. Wii Fit) or computer games that ‘require a good amount of planning and logical thinking’ can assist to ‘train alertness, speed and navigation skills.’ 

While you may engage in these activities already, did you know they can also increase your skills in listening and paying attention? The UoM study  found that these pleasurable pastimes ‘may enhance cognitive benefits’ – we have some great recommendations for mindful podcasts here.

Communicating with others isn’t just beneficial for our mental health. The UoM study found that engaging in cognitive activities can work better when done with another person, keeping ‘brain training social.’ 

A study by the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience found that engaging in tasks associated with the vocabulary, such as word searches, learning French or writing poetry, are associated with long-term and working memory, as well as communication and creative skills. 

If writing isn’t your thing, taking up a new hobby or extending your learning in an area of interest such as sewing, gardening, playing guitar or painting have been shown to improve memory function and brain connection.

As the old saying goes, you are what you eat! According to nutritionists at Healthline, incorporating foods that contribute to brain health can help give your brain a boost. A nutritious diet incorporating salmon, green tea, eggs and blueberries can help activate areas of your brain health such as memory, concentration, mood and alertness. 

Studies from UCLA found that those who mediate, on average, had ‘better-preserved brains’ than those who did not. This could be to do with centring thoughts on a single activity rather than letting the mind wander, which another study found keeps our brain network ‘on’ and ‘active.’ 

Additionally, activities such as tai chi, a Chinese martial art, have been found by a Harvard study to ‘improve cognitive function’ including multitasking, time management and decision making. Tai chi has also been shown to slow the progression of dementia better than other types of exercise. 

No surprises here. Exercise has a wealth of benefits on our physical and mental well-being – but did you know many exercises also help to keep your mind sharp and active? The Victorian Better Health Channel advises that keeping physically fit, alongside a healthy diet, can assist with maintaining your brain’s functions, including memory. 

A study cited in Forbes found that when we sleep, our brains tend to ‘save’ the connections and information we absorbed during the day, as well as weakening connections that our brain deems ‘unimportant’ (although why our brains get us to remember ad jingles from the 90s, we are still unsure!) 

Additionally, a tired mind is not a well-functioning mind, and sleep helps us perform tasks better when we are alert, such as cognition, multi-tasking and paying attention. 

Studies have found that engaging all five senses – smell, touch, sight, taste and sound – can be a way to exercise and challenge your brain, keeping it active by engaging in activities that are ‘new, fun and challenging.’ Think cooking a new meal with some music on, shopping at a farmer’s market or enjoying some snacks at a show – activities that engage more than one sense at a time.