Have you ever gone into a room and totally forgotten why you are there? Or maybe you missed your doctor’s appointment because it slipped your mind. These types of memory lapses can happen to us at any age, but we still tend to worry about them the older we get.

Memory Loss

Memory loss and brain aging were once thought to be directly related to neuron death or malfunctioning. Neuroscientists believed that we lost neurons as we got older, but new research now shows that dopamine can trigger the production of new neurons in our brains.  As a matter of fact, the dopamine neurons move directly to the part of the brain that’s associated with a higher level of functioning, so this could be where the idea of mature wisdom comes from. With that said, is there a way to stay sharp as you get older? Take a look below for six ways to improve your brain function:

Exercise Your Body and Your Brain

Brain games do for your mind what squats do for your posterior. Specific puzzles and brain games help create new associations between the different parts of your brain. Normal activities of daily living like combing your hair and brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand also help to keep your mind sharp. Professionals, know that thing like muscle weakness are also something to be concerned about.  Having an evaluation can help mitigate these sort of things.

Brain Food

Everyone knows that following a healthy diet is beneficial to their health, but many studies indicate that certain foods may help ward off memory loss. Topping the list of brain boosters are foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, all of which are linked to a decreased risk of dementia and improved memory and focus.

Shake Things Up

Most people are physically active, which is vital for our brain health, but you also need to challenge your body and brain from time to time. Mix up your exercise routine and do something you haven’t done for a while. This kind of variety is as good for your brain as it is for your body.

Get Creative

Don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons and try different things. Learn a new language, write poetry or learn to play a musical instrument. Teaching your brain new tricks helps keep it active and eager to learn.

Maintaining physical fitness is an admirable endeavor but if we don’t keep our minds as sharp as possible, how can we enjoy the benefits? As humans, we work hard to enjoy a certain quality of life, so be sure to toss in a few brain teasers along with your squats to reap the benefits down the road.