Human beings are crazy for physical fitness. We always have been. It represents social standing, attractiveness, confidence … all kinds of positive traits, not the least of which is the flattering of our egos.
We should be concerned with physical fitness. But how concerned are we with mental fitness? Do we engage in activities to keep our brains up to speed?
A recent article in The Huffington Post suggests we should be. Aging: The Secret Life of the Middle-Aged Brain relates eight myths regarding the brain and strongly implies we should get some mental exercise.
I’d like to hear from you. What do you do to stay mentally fit?
A regimen for mental fitness?
The Huffington article touches on a few things, such as a relationship between physical activity and the brain’s abilities. But one of the most fascinating aspects it touches on is at the end of the article.
“… Those who research how adults learn have found that one way to keep our brains alive and growing is to actively explore ideas — and people — that challenge our view of the world.
This can create what Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus at Columbia Teachers College, has called a ‘disorienting dilemma’ in our minds that, as another researcher put it, ‘shakes up the cognitive egg,’ prompting our brain cells to wake up, reconfigure and — with a little luck — rejuvenate.”
How much time do any of us spend reading or listening to views we disagree with? My guess would be not much.
But what I really wonder is this: if we start outlining what we do to stay mentally fit and share them, could we come up with a kind of, “How to keep mentally fit” list? Could we create a kind of regimen for keeping our brains in shape, even making them operate better?
The first thing on my list would be reading. But reading can cover a lot of ground. Personally, I read books (traditional, paperbound books) as well as articles and posts online. The reading, however, breaks down. Some of it is fiction (which also breaks down) and some is non-fiction –business, marketing, technology, health, politics, history and on and on.
But what else do I do? More to the point of this post, what do you do? You may not normally think of it as “keeping mentally fit,” yet I know there are things you do.
Tell us how you keep your brain active and vital. Who knows, you may give all of us some great ideas!
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Let me answer my own question with a word: sleep. Overall, I find nothing is better for staying mentally alert and active than a proper amount of sleep. Good physical health overall is very important to being creative and coming up with ideas.
I agree. I have had some significant problems with sleep over the years (although I didn’t realize I had these problems for a long time). The past year has been much, much better and it does have an huge impact on your ability to think and work.
There’s always things like mathematical and logical puzzles. I think Sudoku would be good brain exercise (although I prefer Kakero aka Cross Sums).
Or you could try something more unusual like trying to write with your left hand if you are right-handed (or vice versa).
I confess I’ve never been very good at math and logic puzzles but I know such things are very good. As old school as it is, I still know a lot of people who love crossword puzzles. Can’t say I’m one of them however.
Video games also are good though I think it would depend on the game. I’ve never gotten into gaming simply because I know once I start I’ll be lost in them forever. But I think games that involve strategy would be very good. You know, something more than simple quick reactions and blowing things up.