Have
you ever walked into a room and can't remember why? And then, don't you
wonder if it's a sign that you're losing your mind? It could be. But
more than likely it's because you are getting older. Either way, it is
a little scary.





As we get older there are the obvious
changes going on. The fine lines and wrinkles, the sagging butt and
eyelids, the chicken neck, flabby arms - ok - I'll stop. But even more
unsettling about aging is that our mind starts to go too. Just as there
are things that we can do to slow down the physical changes, there are
also things we can do to keep our minds younger.



What Was I Talking About?





Oh yeah,





Keeping Our Minds Younger





Brain Food



One
of the most important things we can do for both body and mind is to eat
the right kinds of foods. Fruits and vegetables are rich in
antioxidants. Adding more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
vegetables into our diets has other benefits. They increase blood flow
to the brain and help our bodies produce more acetylcholine which helps
with mental function. Blueberries are one of the berry good brain
foods. Research says that if you eat at least a cup of blueberries a
day, your memory will improve in just a few short months. The problem
is, you have to remember to eat them.





Stress



Stress
can be a big factor in our mental decline. Research tells us that those
of us who are prone to being "stressed out" have a higher risk of
cognitive impairment. Identifying the source of our stress is the first
step in managing it. I find that certain types of stress keep me a
little sharper. Tough deadlines and performance incentives have kept me
a little more on my toes. I also have found that exercise, yoga and
meditation help me stay focused and keep the stress level manageable.







Sleep



Research
shows that getting a good night's sleep strengthens memory recall.
While we sleep our brain is busy storing and sorting through
information from the day. Not sleeping enough encourages those blank
moments and lack of focus. Lack of sleep also affects your mood and
performance.





Stay Active



One of the reasons that
we suffer mental decline as we age is not staying active, both
physically and mentally. The old adage "use it or lose it" applies to
not only our muscle strength but our memory as well. The more you work
out the body and the mind the better you'll be able to process and
remember things. For example, taking on unfamiliar tasks can improve
short term memory and build up the part of the brain that processes
information. And regular exercise increases oxygen to the brain and is
just all around good for mental and physical stamina.







Many
of us have some bad habits which doesn't help our ability to process
and retain information. The good news is that barring some terrible
disease or serious injury, we can improve our memory.



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Lynne
Hagan is the author of a website, blog and numerous articles related to
anti aging. Want to look younger, feel great, and have a healthier and
happier life? See why Lynne is the popular source for reliable and
unbiased anti aging tips. Go to

http://www.aginghints.com