How To Stay Mentally Sharp?

Nearly every article, book, tape, CD and DVD that focuses on staying mentally sharp emphasizes maintaining overall physical health. In simple terms, it would be a mistake to dismiss exercise and physical conditioning, to focus only on mental activities. Doctors and nutritionists will urge you to keep the entire body healthy, as a key step in staying on top of things mentally.

Of course, you should keep your mind active by engaging in something challenging, rather than staring at the TV, for example. Writing, reading, word puzzles, even games such as checkers, can help us stay focused mentally. This type of activity is especially necessary as we grow older.

Physicians, psychiatrists and other medical personnel will also warn us to avoid spending too much time alone. While everyone needs some individual quiet time, remaining alone for extended periods will decrease mental “sharpness.” We need to communicate with others through conversation, social activities and so on to keep our minds working as they should. Human beings need stimulation from others to remain mentally alert and to maintain a general feeling of well-being.

What we put into our bodies not only affects how we feel and how much energy we have, our food and drink can affect how our minds work. Most people understand that excessive amounts of alcohol can dull our mental capacity. It almost goes without saying that certain drugs have the same effect or worse. In order to stay mentally sharp we need to pay close attention to what we put into our bodies.

This extends to our regular diet as well. No saying is truer than, “You are what you eat.” Believe it or not, nutrition not only affects our bodies but also affects how our brains work. Eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and juices can make a great difference in mental alertness and help us maintain an overall energetic feeling.

Two other keys to mental sharpness are sleep and lack of stress. First of all, doctors will tell you that it is difficult to treat physical or mental problems if the patient is not getting enough sleep or is not resting properly. Our bodies and brains need down time. It’s that simple. An overworked brain, one that isn’t given enough rest, will not function as it should.

Not only that, but we should do what we can to avoid excessive amounts of stress. If financial, family or general health issues cause us to live in a stressful situation it’s important to find some quiet time or down time. The brain will work much more efficiently if it isn’t slowed or cluttered with minute details and the stress that come with such situations.

One of the hardest things to do is maintain a positive outlook. It may seem that we can’t be mentally “sharp” because “things” are just too difficult, too confusing. But as one wise fellow advised, “When you feel yourself getting down and out, get up and go in.” Get involved in something outside yourself, something that you enjoy. It’s sure to help your mental sharpness and your sense of well-being.

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