My 10-step plan to keep your brain sharp..., Mind - Mind Power,Times Wellness Online

My 10-step plan to keep your brain sharp..., Mind - Mind Power,Times Wellness Online:

Here's my own 10-step plan for keeping your brain sharp...

(1) Make work more enjoyable

Doing something you hate that doesn't really tax you is not healthy for your brain in the long run. Plus, if you don't feel useful or appreciated, it can seriously damage your general health and your memory. Now, I know that leaving work because you don't like your job is probably not an option in the current economic climate but you can take steps to get more from work.

When I was a doctor doing research there was one department that always clashed with mine and made work miserable.
So I went to my boss with a list of ways we could improve things - and you could do the same. Your boss will be pleased you've taken the initiative and, hopefully, you'll then get more from your job.

(2) Take ginseng

The herb ginseng has been found to seriously improve memory - especially for women in their late-50s. Ginseng has also been found to boost brain function in both sexes following a stroke. You can find it at your local pharmacy or health food store.

(3) Try something new

I'm always encouraging people to try something different, such as learning a new language, as it gets the mind working hard. Our brain is wired to respond to new things - meeting new people, doing activities you haven't tried before, taking trips to strange places or just talking about a different subject all stimulate the frontal lobes - the ones most susceptible to ageing. Even simple tricks like using the other hand to apply eyeliner or taking a different route to work can have beneficial effects.

(4) Have fun pottering about

Older people often feel guilty about pottering without serious intent but it's great for your brain. Weeding in the garden is good, while many men enjoy tinkering with an old engine in the garage. Both activities require thought and problem-solving skills such as 'which plant should I pull up?' or 'what tool should I use?' - and, crucially, they both involve being on your feet, which has been found to make you live longer.

(5) Be more active

Exercise can have a huge impact on boosting your memory, whatever your age. The good news is it doesn't have to be anything too extreme - it's doing the job as long as it increases your heart rate. Try a brisk walk, cycle or swim three or four times a week for 45 minutes at a time.

(6) Make time to sleep easy

Have you ever tried to take a test or do the crossword after a sleepless night? It becomes 10 times harder, so it's no surprise that a good night's sleep significantly improves brain functions such as memory and attention. It's worth going to bed early at least twice a week.

(7) Have a power nap

I know a quick nap can really boost your mental faculties. I often have a doze in the back of the car between meetings. You don't need a lot of time - in fact, the shorter the better or you can wake up groggy. Sometimes I don't sleep but go into what I call my 'twilight zone', where I think of nothing and zone out for two or three minutes. It's enough to refresh me.

(8) Enjoy a cuppa

I'm a tea addict and drink a minimum of six cups a day. I have to drink at least a pint to really get going in the morning. When you drink green tea, or even ordinary builders' tea, antioxidant levels in your blood soar, revving up your brain. Studies show that tea can help prevent age-related memory loss and keep dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, at bay.

(9) Put more fish on the menu
Fish is an amazing brain booster. It's been found that healthy middle-aged people who regularly eat oily fish such as salmon, fresh tuna or mackerel have a much lower risk of memory loss and stroke. Brains of people who eat fish also show far less ageing - probably because the omega-3 fats in oily fish have a protective effect. Eat two portions a week for maximum benefits. However, if you really don't like the taste, a daily dose of good old-fashioned cod liver oil will do the trick.

(10) Exercise the old grey matter
Puzzles such as sudoku can help keep the brain active but activities where you have to interact with other people are even better - for example, playing cards with a friend. I think electronic brain-training games are a waste of money - I bought one and found it far too easy.

Using a mobile or BlackBerry to text is much better, as you have to think on your toes. I used to text with one thumb until I noticed that teenagers used both thumbs, so I became determined to learn this way. It took me two weeks and was hard going - but I got there and my text speed is now twice as fast. I think everyone over 50 should text at least once a day to ward off dementia.

Source: Daily Mirror"