This year most of us have had to spend a lot more time than usual stuck at home and isolated from friends and family. Spending extended periods alone and inactive can have quite a severe negative impact on our brains. Many report feeling sluggish and foggy, and there may even be long-term and permanent effects. Luckily we have found some ways to alleviate these negative effects, many of which have scientific backing.
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Stick to a routine
It can be very challenging to impose a routine on yourself, but it is an important part of keeping your mind healthy. Little things like having a regular waking up time, making sure that you get dressed even if you are not going outside – all these help immensely. Switching up activities frequently is also good for keeping the brain sharp. In other words, recreational pastimes like playing at new online casinos Canada are absolutely fine, but include them as part of a greater routine with a variety of different occupations.
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Try meditation
A few years ago, so-called mindfulness meditation started to gain popularity. Studies since then have shown that practicing meditation daily can have remarkably positive effects on the brain. Although the point may be to still the mind and be less active in the moment, the wider impact is an improvement in focus and attention. Incorporating just a few minutes of meditation into your daily routine is highly recommended, and there are lots of apps and websites that can help to get you started.
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Take care of your physical health
It is certainly true that a healthy body is important for a healthy mind. Those who practice healthy behaviors have been proven to show less cognitive decline over time. These behaviors include staying physically fit, getting enough sleep, drinking water, eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, and not engaging in damaging habits such as smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol. For those of us who are less able to leave the house, yoga is an indoor activity that is excellent for fitness and requires little space.
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Do a brain training activity
There are a lot of specific activities that you can do to challenge your brain to stay sharp. Many of these are available from custom-made apps or websites. If these do not appeal to you, try one of your own. This could be something like drawing a map of your local area from memory in as much detail as you can. You could also try writing or drawing using your non-dominant hand, an approach recommended by neurobiologists. If you know how, playing chess is also suggested.
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Learn a new skill
Even if you don’t know how to play chess, then you can always learn. Mastering a new skill has been shown to improve memory in subjects of all ages. This can range from playing a musical instrument to speaking a foreign language, or it could be a hobby like knitting or quilting. It has never been easier to learn than it is now, with many free online resources and apps to help with everything under the sun.
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Remember to relax
If all this sounds rather exhausting, then don’t panic. Feeling stressed or pressured is not good for your brain either. You can spend just a few minutes each day on constructive activities and they will still have a positive effect. Forming a new habit takes time, so go easy on yourself. After a while, these things will come more naturally. And remember that it is perfectly acceptable to switch off and watch a comforting movie every now and again.
Featured Image Credit: Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
