TRAIN YOUR BRAIN FOR LONG TERM HEALTH

WHEN IT COMES TO BRAIN FITNESS, SIMPLE CHANGES CAN YIELD SUPERIOR RESULTS

- ANNE-FRANCES HUTCHINSON

Remember those resolutions we all made a few weeks back when the year was brand-spanking new? If many of your “this is the year that I’ll …” promises have already plummeted over the inevitable resolution cliff, you’re not alone. The world seems to be spinning on its axis faster, with blink-and-you’ll miss it transformations in markets, technologies, geopolitics, and social systems continually impacting the way we live and work. Breaking through the distractions that come with change demands that we do more than think faster – we must think better.

At any age, the rock-bottom basics of good brain health can be mastered: Get aerobic exercise at least twice a week, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and get at least seven hours of sleep every night, but that’s just baseline. Strengthening the brain to meet new challenges and cope with higher stress levels requires the ability to flex. Staying focused, in the moment, and ready for anything life throws at us depends on our mental agility.

Just as with developing physical prowess, mental flexibility requires training. Getting your brain in its best shape enables you to think more clearly and strategically, improves decision-making, boosts creativity, and is the platform for reaching your dreams despite the chaos and uncertainty of the world around you. Not only does mental agility help keep your mind open, it helps you respond better to stress, enhances your ability to reason, and to spot and resolve problems faster and more effectively. Here are some effective ways to change your mindset and get started on your agility journey.

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