Mind Over Matter

“Where did I put my keys?” “What was her name?” “When did you say we were leaving?” “I just can’t remember details anymore. It must be my age.”

Who hasn’t asked one of these questions or made that statement in a moment of forgetfulness or cloudy thinking? We all let our brains get a little foggy due to overload or mental laziness but, don’t ever blame age for your mental slump. According to studies from Duke University, slow brain function and loss of memory are caused from lack of mental fitness and not merely a function of getting older. Just as staying physically fit is the result of an intentionally healthy lifestyle, mental fitness and sharpness will result from the intentional use of the brain for reasoning, thinking, problem-solving and strategizing. It really is a “mind over matter” process.

The Christian Mind: How Should a Christian Think?

To help the brain stay fit, practice the following healthy choices in your daily life.

Exercise – Physical exercise has been proven to improve mental and emotional well-being and reduce symptoms leading to depression and anxiety. Investing 30 minutes a day in a consistent walking program will increase the oxygen to your brain and stimulate creativity, clear your mind and reduce stress.

Eat brain-building food – Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and salmon are a selection of foods that feed the brain. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Enjoy nuts and salmon (or other fish) at least 2 times a week.

Enjoy learning new things – If you take the “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” mentality, you will slowly let your brain deteriorate. Learn a new game, hobby, or subject. Read articles, novels, and the newspaper. Set a goal to learn one new thing every day and share it with someone else. When you really don’t know the answer to a question, find out. Discover the pleasure in continued learning. After all, no matter how old you are, you really don’t know everything.

Laugh a lot – The daily grind of life can get very serious and stressful. But, life can also be light and funny. When you see or hear something that makes you laugh or smile, enjoy the moment and share it with someone else. Humor goes a long way in keeping us mentally fit.

Take a mental “vacation” – Take mental breaks from regular daily life and go on a mental “vacation.” As you mentally travel to a familiar place or an exotic location found in travel posters or novels, allow yourself to slowly breathe with long inhales and exhales. Increasing the oxygen to your stimulated brain will ignite your imagination, stimulating problem-solving skills and reducing stress.

Live with awareness of the moment – As you go through the day, take in all the sounds, smells, and sights of the world around you. Awareness stimulates thinking, problem-solving and creativity.

Care for yourself – Prepare a favorite meal. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Take a relaxing bubble bath. Visit a museum. Get a massage. See an up-lifting movie. Walk in the park. Whatever you choose, do it just for you.

Intentionally choose to stay mentally fit with these and other mentally challenging activities that you discover on your own. You will ward off mental sluggishness, memory loss and dementia.