Most of us dread getting older, mainly because we associate old age with slowing down and being less flexible and independent. For these reasons - among others - we turn to physical fitness to help keep our bodies in shape and better eating habits to make sure our bodies are also healthy from the inside out. But what about your mind? The brain itself needs to be challenged constantly and lack of brain exercise can have a negative effect on how you age in the long run.

Have you been finding it difficult to concentrate on tasks or to stay focused for certain periods of time? Maybe you’re finding yourself more scatterbrained than you used to be or not able to remember the simplest things in your daily routine? These could be signs that your brain is far beyond its actual age. Even though your mind may be working on a daily basis, just doing routine activities isn’t enough to keep your mind young and agile. But there are some brain exercises and activities you can do that will keep your mind in top shape - and the good news is that you can do these activities at any age.

One of the easiest things you can do to improve your brain function is to read. Even if you aren’t a fan of books, doing this simple activity more often can do wonders for your brain. Whether it’s a magazine, novel or even a comic book, reading for certain periods of time throughout the week stimulates the brain. You learn new words, phrases and information about people, places and things, which all contribute to better cognitive reserve. Anything with words is a plus when it comes to brain exercise. If books aren’t your thing, try learning a new language or play word games, such as Scrabble, crossword puzzles or word searches. Studies show that the longer you engage in such activities over time, the less likely you are to suffer from poor hand-eye coordination and memory loss.

Dealing with a lot of stress? If you’re a nervous student worried about an upcoming exam or an adult who is a little rusty when it comes to taking tests, you’ll want to reach for water. Really! Because water makes up a good portion of the brain, its presence can work in your favor. Before entering a stressful situation such as test taking, providing the mind and body with water will properly hydrate and increase your ability to concentrate.

Physical fitness also plays a role in preventing the brain from aging prematurely. Just taking a walk around your neighborhood a few times a week is ideal for promoting more blood flow to the brain and speeds up your heart rate. When you exercise your body physically you’re helping the brain function better with the other organs in your body. Additionally, the simple act of walking has also been shown to improve memory, abstract reasoning and even a person’s ability to learn new things.

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