I'm not going to let turning 40 get me down!
So, I have been making a few changes in my life; I am drinking less alcohol and less coffee and drinking more tea; I am exercising more, reading more and I am spending more time in the garden. All of these things are not only making me feel healthier physically but apparently they are also helping my brain stay healthy.
Scientists have discovered that if the brain is able to create new connections by growing more connections between brain cells, we might not lose our memories as we age, in spite of inevitable brain cell depletion. One way to keep making new connections is to keep exercising, using and looking after our brain!
Studies have shown that exercise can improve the brain’s executive skills, which include planning, organizing and multitasking. What we eat can also influence how effectively our brain operates. You can read more about the studies here but here is a brief summary of some of the findings:
The top five ways to keep our brains in good form:
1. Eat colourful fruit and vegetables.
We should try to eat a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables like blueberries, oranges, bok choy, spinach, tomatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes, the latest "super food!"
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These colourful foods are loaded with phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Eating a diet rich in antioxidants not only helps protect and nourish brain cells but also prevents cholesterol from damaging the lining of our arteries. Antioxidants are also critical for cell protection and slowing blood flow to the brain.
2 Read a book
Exercising our mental abilities keeps them strong. If we think creatively, we will strengthen the connections that we draw upon for creative thought. If we don’t think creatively, then we could lose our creativity.
So, switch off the TV, the computer, the phone, the ipods and whatever other devices that take up your time and find yourself a good book. Don't feel guilty about taking time to read....Reading is exercise for the brain!
Reading takes mind power to convert the words on the page into mental pictures,
reading exercises our brain cells !
3 Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!
Healthy blood flow to the brain strengthens neuronal connections. Even if we don’t use a particular neural pathway, blood flow will help keep you from losing it.
According to QBI neuroscientist Dr Blackmore, researchers are finding ways to stimulate the production of neurons to negate any decline brought about by age or disease.
“Our findings suggest that moderate exercise, from early to late in life, can have a very positive effect,” Dr Blackmore said.
This is great news as it means that keeping a healthy heart will keep our minds sharp too!
4 Avoid Stress
Stress that is not managed or treated can lead to a variety of medical illnesses. Unmanaged stress can also lead to anxiety disorders that can then lead to depression. Stress may contribute to physical illness such as cardiovascular disease, raised blood pressure and suppressed immune system. It can also contribute to infertility and speed up the aging process.
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Do anything you can do to reduce stress. Your body and brain will thank you!
5 Listen To Music
Studies show that listening to music strengthens the right-hemisphere of the brain and the same studies have also found that people who listen to music are generally smarter and have more emotional intelligence than those who don’t.
Listening to music requires some level of concentration. For example, music that has a strong beat stimulates brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat and faster beats bring sharper concentration and more alert thinking. On the other hand, music with a slower tempo leads to a meditative state.
I hope you enjoy listening to Ivy singing Edge Of The Ocean.
I'm sure your brain will thank you for all of that extra musical therapy!
I hope you have a great week exercising your brains and boosting your mind power; isn't it great to know that we can do so much good for our bodies and brains with hardly any effort? We just have to eat well, exercise regularly, listen to good music, read and get sufficient sleep....it's that easy!
Best wishes,
Hi Natasha. That's such a good idea that you are going to do all these things, as you approach 40, in order to help your mind and body keep in shape! That was such a good, informative post today. I'm sure that we have all learnt something from it, so thank you for that. Believe me, you are a mere youngster!! Warmest wishes to you my friend.
ReplyDeleteHey Natasha, awesome post!!! I turned 40 in march & I could use a few of these tips!!!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for being such an inspiration!!
4 Avoid Stress
ReplyDeleteNow there is a kicker. Easy to say, not so easy to do.
But I do love music. :)
Have a great weekend! :)
Salut Natasha, great post and I have to admit that I could improve in pretty much all areas - though we do eat lots of fruit and veg and listen to music which is a good start, right? Have a lovely weekend xo
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Natasha! I learned a lot from this information! The benefits of eating right and exercising are amazing. I am trying to cut down on coffee and drink more water. I also need to MOVE more!!
ReplyDeleteThanks and have a wonderful weekend!
XO,
Jane
Hi Natasha, Great post girl and something we should all do. I got the anniversary card, it was awesome. Thanks very much and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLife started at 40 darling....don't worry........lovely weekend....love Ria...xxx...
ReplyDeleteNatasha, wonderful post - so very true! I turned 38 last week, and I really need to set a similar goal. I'm not excercising nearly as much as I should. I have the book-reading and music-listening portions down, but could certainly eat healthier and exercise more. Keep us posted on your progress!
ReplyDeleteWow, Natasha. This a great and very informative post.
ReplyDeleteWe do watch what we eat, but we both need more exercise.
Forty is still a baby.♥
Excellent post!! So interesting! I will refer to it in the future! Thanks Natasha!
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I needed to see- I turn 40 next week and am determined to make this the best decade yet.
ReplyDeletexx
Jenny
I love your attitude about being 40! We have to make the most of each age that we are and be the best we can be. Love all the info you gave about staying healthy. It was all so interesting!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, glad you are feeling so happy. I believe in positive thinking and learning to be happy in the now rather than people that say " when I am... or when I have...then I will be happy"Life is too short to wait for one day to start enjoying it. xxx Katherine
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this blog! It is so professional and clean looking. I am so glad I found you on Pink Saturdays. I am your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteLet me get this out of the way- don't forget your mamo as much as we hate them they are good for us and I only nag because I love ya!
ReplyDeleteO.K.
I LOVE your blog! This post was excellent. It was put together so nice......I love pictures and they were SO NICE! Those 5 things are the BEST gift you can give yourself for your BIG 40. 40 is great- we are so strong by 40 and we know a lot. Cheers to you!
Love Danielle
Hi Natasha- love all the info and inspiration---
ReplyDeleteEmbrace 40! 40 is the new 20 (or 30!) ---that's what I say!
Happy Weekend! (How's the winter going? Could use some chilly weather over here - has hit triple digits a few days this past week!)
Linda
Great post! These are all such good reminders. And enjoy turning 40. It only gets better. I've got 16 years on your and life is still great!
ReplyDeleteHappy Pink SAturday!
Hello Natasha,
ReplyDeleteyou made a nice post and all those ideas are fabulous. But! To tell you the truth, you will feel over 40 exactly the same as before 40. This important border is just in your mind or not. You will always be this nice woman, you are - for ever!
Best greetings, Johanna
Great song. 40 is a great milestone.
ReplyDeleteIloved that tune.
Thank you for this Sunday Song, Natasha. It is beautiful.♥
ReplyDeleteGood, informative post (and lovely Sunday Song). We should all be doing these things to help ourselves. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and information. Some advise we all should be doing. I hope you have a great birthday whenever it is.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, very informative! Good for you, doing a great job of it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your beautiful and inspiring photos and comments. Good luck on your quest for a healthier you.
ReplyDeleteI am 69, have always taken good care of myself, and usually run circles around younger people.
Keep moving! I popped over from Between Naps.
Great advice. Beautiful mosaics, so colourful.:)
ReplyDeleteLife begins at 40 and I am an example that it does as since I turned 40 I have not looked back :-)
ReplyDeleteLeeann x
Hello Natasha! We enjoyed this post so much. In our country, In our country, being middle-aged is such a big deal. Most of them are actually saddened by the fact that they are getting old. It's different for us. We are turning 30 by January next year and pretty much excited about it. We like the feeling of getting old. Cheers! - Van and Zane <3
ReplyDeleteSorry I did not link up this weekend Natasha, but I think you will understand I have been some pre occupied. I agree with your list each and every point especially as I do all these things myself and hope it is helping me to stay fit. :)
ReplyDeleteGood informative post, Natasha; it's basically how I've lived my life. And that is perhaps why although I'm old enough (just) to be your mama, I'm still in good shape. I'm hanging around a while to listen to music. Just heard Delta, now I move to Ella. Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat song!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking :)
Beautiful Sunday song! Loved your space..it's unique and fresh! Hope to see you on my blog:)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Hello Natasha,
ReplyDeleteWell what refreshing post, full of great photo's and packed with very helpful information. It's a credit to you
Thanks Jeff.