8 non-obvious signs that your brain has started to age. Check yourself against the list

The sad truth: the brain begins to age after the age of 25. By the age of 70, a person’s cognitive functions – memory, thinking, reaction speed – are reduced by an average of 50%. We tell you how to avoid perhaps the most unpleasant thing that can only await you in adulthood – mental infirmity.

psychologist, neurologist, candidate of medical sciences

In our relatively humane age it is customary to say that it is never too late to start: to write novels and screenplays, to dance, to go on dates and so on. Indeed, you shouldn’t put your hands down, no matter how old you are.

But when it comes to brain health, it is very important to start working on it in time. So, 35 years old is the right time to start taking active systematic action.

Brain aging test

The first signs of aging, perhaps the main organ can be found both in a person who has already passed the forty-year mark, and almost yesterday’s student.

You should be on the lookout

• you are resentful, irritable, vulnerable, you are often in a bad mood, especially in the morning;
• you have become more difficult to concentrate, a healthy brain is easily able to concentrate for an hour on a fairly complex new information;
• you’re dissatisfied with people around you, you grouch a lot;
• you’re anxious, you have fears;
• the prospect of the future is gloomy, late adulthood and even more so old age are painted exclusively in black and gray colors;
• you are lazy, you refuse to take active steps;
• you are less socially active, your social circle is getting smaller and smaller;
• you have become less enthusiastic about your appearance, the requirements for your own grooming have decreased.

Of course, some of these “symptoms” may be due to character, physical fatigue and other factors. But if you notice several items on the list at once, and even on a regular basis, it is a reason to be alarmed.

Several factors can increase the rate of brain aging, such as:

• head injuries;
• certain infectious diseases;
• mental disorders;
• use of illegal psychoactive substances;
• alcohol abuse, smoking;
• poor nutrition, lack of vitamins;
• poor quality sleep and rest;
• stress, an abundance of negatively charged information;
• genetic predisposition.

How to keep the brain young

To keep your intellect in shape, you need to create a healthy environment for it, and challenge it regularly. But one or two exercises a week will not be enough. An almost round-the-clock process is necessary.

Ensure that you get quality rest

Sufficient sleep in a dark, well-ventilated room. Two hours before a night’s rest, try not to watch TV and do not use gadgets, especially for the purpose of “run” on the news feed. It is necessary that closer to the night produced the hormone melatonin, and not cortisol, responsible for the mobilization of the body.

Move regularly

Dancing or walking, for example, ideally on less familiar terrain. In this way you will give a load to the cardiovascular system, and develop coordination of movements, get new experiences.

Eat sensibly

Control your bad cholesterol levels. If you have elevated levels, lower them through diet and exercise. Avoid heavy meat dishes. Make sure you get omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins including B, E and D vitamins, and bioflavonoids on your plate. Limit your sugar intake, it is addictive and impairs brain function in the long run. Older people are advised to avoid it altogether.

Read more about the products that negatively affect the brain in the material at the link.

Engage in art therapy

Learn to play musical instruments, at least at an elementary level. Mold, draw, embroider, weave macramé. The development of fine motor skills is important both at a very early age and in adulthood.

Memorize text

Prose passages are best. Did you like someone’s quote? Memorize it verbatim. Memorize combinations of numbers: phone numbers, bank card numbers, passport numbers – your own and those of your loved ones. Before going to the store, write a list, but try not to look at it, and act from memory.

Read books and listen to music of unfamiliar genres

Why not familiarize yourself with Chinese poetry or, for example, graphic novels? Try, experiment, surprise yourself. Try not to “chase” the same playlist for the tenth time – the world of music is huge!

Learn to concentrate

You can choose a word, for example, “happiness” – and for five minutes think only about it. You’ll notice how hard it is. Thoughts of conflict with your boss, unfinished chores, or resentment toward a friend will pop into your head. Calmly notice this and return to the task at hand. Over time, you will be able to focus more and better.

Have a furniture rearrangement

Rearrange the things you use frequently. Ideally, once a week should be a good time to rearrange things. The fewer automatic, habitual actions you take, the better. Getting out of the proverbial comfort zone can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Develop the ability to plan

Make a plan for your day and try to follow it strictly. Something went wrong? Do not react emotionally, but take a few minutes to analyze: what was the cause of the failure, how it could have been avoided.

Practice your memory

Toward evening, find a quiet place and for 5-10 minutes try to remember in as much detail as possible what you did and what you said from the morning. Even young people are surprised at how difficult it is to do this exercise. But the effort is worth it.

Do the coordination exercises

First exercise

Cross your arms across your chest, grab your earlobes with your fingers and squat down. If you have the strength, start with 10 squats and gradually increase the number of squats.

The second exercise

To perform it, you will need to approach a table or another surface that resembles it. First, we put one hand on the back of the palm, then put the hand with the edge, and then squeeze it into a fist. Repeat with the other hand. Then perform the exercise with both hands at the same time. Try to increase the speed of movements over time.

The third exercise

Standing straight and straight, clap your hands and then with the fingers of one hand take the earlobe, and the second – the tip of the nose. Repeat the clap and change hands. Move rhythmically, gradually accelerating.

During the exercises, watch your breathing. Let it be even, rhythmic, without delays. Inhalation should be slightly shorter than exhalation.

About other exercises that will help develop the brain, read the article at the link.

If you are not lazy – and you can not be lazy, if the goal is to keep your mind young – then your short-term memory over the years will not suffer as much as most, and you will not painfully remember where you put your phone 15 minutes ago.