Being encouraged to stay indoors for the most part these last several months has really caused me to think outside of the box on certain things. Working from home has taught me how to be more collaborative with video calls and emails. My exercise routine has also transformed. Since the gym wasn’t an option, I had to see what I could do in and around my house to stay active. And exercising my body wasn’t the only thing I realized I needed to be working on. I needed to be exercising the most important organ in my body – my brain!

Proper Brain Health and Ways to Exercise

You’ve probably heard that your brain needs to be exercised just like the muscles in your body. This is sound advice considering it’s the organ that controls your entire body! Poor brain health can affect us in many ways and can range from the mild to the severe. Not only may we experience things like memory issues or emotional problems, but not exercising our brains can lead to an overall feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction.

These things can be avoided because just like the rest of your body, there are exercises you can do to keep your mind fit! These exercises may not look the same for everyone, but a good example of a proper brain workout is something that provides variety, presents a challenge, and requires persistence. And yes, just like any good workout, it’s going to require effort. Here are just a few types of workouts you can try out for yourself.

Learn Something New

Just because you may not be in school anymore doesn’t mean you know everything. Learning doesn’t have to stop because you’ve graduated. Life is always teaching us new things and there is plenty to learn. You can pick up a new language or discover other cultures you may be interested in. You could also start a new hobby or skill, such as painting or learning a new instrument. Whatever it is you decide to do, have fun with it.

Memory Training

I’ve noticed that the older I get, the harder it is for me to remember things. But did you know that our memory can still improve? There are several ways to do some brain training, and they’re simple enough for anyone to do. Pick a room in your house (preferably a small one, like your bathroom). Then make a mental list of all the items in that room and write them down on a piece of paper. Do this until you can list all the items in the room.

Another idea is memorizing a new recipe and following the directions by memory. Not only will it work out your brain, but you could potentially have something tasty when you’re done!

Rest and Recovery

After you’ve put your brain through an extensive workout, don’t forget to give it some down time. Our bodies need time to recover after exercising, and the same goes for our brains. Do whatever you need to in order to relax your brain, whether it’s taking a nap or watching a movie. It’s important not to skip this step because forgetting to do so can cause you to mentally burn out. And if you need a little extra, I recommend some CBD.

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Brain health is just another component in our overall wellness. I hope we are all looking for ways to work our brains on a regular basis.

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