Revolution GrayIt is normal to worry about your brain health as you get older. Despite the common thought that the mind works best in our youth, maturing women can grow and toughen their mental capacities well into midlife. The key is finding interests that are both challenging and enjoyable. Here are some fun activities that strengthen your brain.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways for women over 50 to maintain good brain health. Getting moderate exercise a few times a week drastically improves overall wellness levels. The activity you do doesn’t need to be intense; it should be fun and get your heart pumping.
A great way to get some movement into your day is by joining an exercise class. Many gyms and rec centers have lessons catered to women as they get older. Try lessons that are active, gentle, and enjoyable, like:
- Dance classes
- Yoga
- Pilates
Listen to Music
Listening to music helps stimulate important areas of the brain. These areas control functions like mood and memory, which are vital functions that you should nurture as you get older. Music is one of the best ways to keep your mind flexible because it takes very little time and effort to reap the benefits.
Enjoying familiar music that you like boosts your mood by inducing positive memories and associations. Finding new music also keeps the brain limber by introducing new melodies and rhythms. It even encourages movement, which we know is vital to supporting your neurological well-being.
Do a Puzzle
Your brain needs exercise just as much as your body does. When you do a jigsaw puzzle, you are working out mental functions like problem-solving, memory, and pattern recognition. Practicing these skills keeps your mind firing on all cylinders.
Working on puzzles forces you to concentrate. This builds strong connections that stimulate your brain and encourage cognitive capabilities. The best part about puzzles is that they are fun activities that you can do alone, with a loved one, or with friends.
Learn Something New
We all know that saying about old dogs and new tricks. It’s an untrue statement that keeps people from expanding their knowledge as they enter midlife. Women in their 50’s thrive from gaining new information.
Learning a new skill challenges your mind to stay alert. Research also suggests that new skills help fight degenerative brain diseases as you get older. Some other fun activities that strengthen your brain include:
- Studying a new language
- Learning to play an instrument
- Cooking a new meal
The brain of a maturing woman is an amazing tool. Find an interesting activity and see where it takes you! Taking the time to nourish your mind will benefit you in more ways than you know.