Inspiration comes in many forms and can strike randomly. Some days we have an abundance of creative energy which comes naturally, other days it’s not so easy. The importance of keeping your mind sharp cannot be overstated. We’re all part of a culture which thrives on ideas, creativity and intelligence. Keeping your mind sharp will not only give an the edge over the competition, it can lead to your own higher levels of happiness. When your mind is in tip, top shape, you will:
- Have greater motivation and focus
- Get more done
- Come up with more creative ideas
- Find inspiration more often
- Remember more
- Experience a better life
Here are 3 ways I have found to avoid those ‘senior moments’:
1) Continue reading, absorbing knowledge and experiencing culture — Read subjects within your field and in new fields you know nothing about; watch lectures on fascinating new subjects; take in a new form of art you’ve never experienced; you get the idea. Continually broaden your horizon and soak up new information at any age. Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.
2) Learn a new skill or craft — Play an instrument, compose a piece of music, paint a masterpiece or build a model airplane. Engage your mind in learning a new skill. You’re never too old to do this, but this is definitely something you should start as young as you can. You will be surprised how much learning a new skill will open up many new paths in your mind and help you become a more engaged and successful individual in all areas of your life. Many people have jobs that keep them mentally active, but pursuing a hobby, or doing anything that involves a skill you don’t usually use can function the same way.
3) Eat well, sleep well and exercise often — Giving your mind the proper rest and energy is essential to getting the best performance out of it. We often forget that you need proper fuel and proper rest to function optimally. Also, putting your physical body through the paces is a surefire way to rejuvenate yourself mentally. If you’re ever feeling stressed, out of inspiration, or depressed, a few days of nutritious food, good sleep and vigorous exercise can put you back to your full self. Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits: staying physically active, getting enough sleep, not smoking, having good social connections, limiting alcohol to one drink a day, and eating a balanced diet low in saturated and trans fats.
We live in a culture where we are constantly experiencing and learning new things and taking in new information. But in your process of absorbing new skills, knowledge and life experiences what you have learned, remember to keep everything in perspective. Some people do it well during running, others through listening to music, and some people through making art. Find your own place that allows you to assimilate all you have learned and frequent it often.
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