How to Stay Sharp in Old Age

Amy Taylor October 28, 2013

They say memory declines with age. Just like the rest of our body, our brain is not immune from ageing. Not only does it affect our memory, but also our executive function – the form of complex thinking needed to make choices, plan, initiate actions, and inhibit impulses, according to a a research published in the 2010 issue of the Harvard Health Letter. The good news is that it is possible to stay sharp as you age! Several studies have shown that certain positive health habits can keep our mental health greatly functional even in old age.

Here are some tips to stay sharp as you age:

Fill your ‘empty nest’.

Many older adults experience the so-called ‘empty nest syndrome’ or the feeling of grief and loneliness when children leave home for the first time. Sooner or later, your kids will be making a family of their own, just like you did. It’s a sad fact of life. However, this condition can affect your mental health by increasing the brain-damaging stress levels in your body. Instead of isolating yourself at home, take the opportunity to do things you didn’t have the chance to do before. Now that your children are older and can well take care of themselves, you may want to take a vacation, spend more time with your friends, adopt a cat or a dog to be your best buddy, attend a yoga class, participate in community events, etc.

Rediscover sex.

There’s another effective way to beat stress, and that’s having more intimate moments with your spouse. Many people think that sex no longer has place in old age. But actually, sex gets better in time! You’d been to it many times so you are much better at it today than when you were just 25 years old. Having regular sex can free you from the stresses of life, especially if your kids have moved out already.

Lower your risk of Alzheimer’s.

Many older adults are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease which primarily affects brain function. Because no cure has been developed yet, the only thing you can do is to lower your risk. How? Just recently, Australian researchers have found that people who exercised regularly had healthier brains and lower chances of developing dementia. A different research conducted by US researchers shows that 13 per cent of Alzheimer’s disease cases are linked to lack of physical activity.

Learn a new stuff.

Instead of sticking to what’s familiar and comfortable, take new challenges. Try a new sport; go to places you’ve never been to before, meet new people, master another craft – new experiences will build new pathways in your brain, strengthening your cognitive functions. What’s more, they also provide opportunities for self-growth and happiness.

Eat right.

What you eat plays a huge role in your mental health. As we age, our metabolism slows down, so we need to consume fewer calories. Eat foods packed with the nutrients you need, especially antioxidants that help flush the disease-causing free radicals from your brain. Get your five-a-day portion of fruits and vegetables and try to eat something raw. Cut down on your intake of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats like trans fats and saturated fats.

Get more social.

Spend more time with friends or family. Social people have sharper thinking and much lower risk of memory-related diseases. Reconnect with your old friends and spend quality time with them. Don’t settle on Facebook chats and updates!

Meditate.

Numerous studies have shown that meditation has amazing benefits to our mental health. Not only does it promote a sense of well-being, but meditation has been shown to literally increase the areas of the brain associated with memory, learning and other important cognitive functions, even in people who already have memory problems. According to a paper published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, adults with memory impairment and memory loss may benefit from mantra-based meditation. Preliminary findings suggest that meditation led to a substantial increase in cerebral blood flow in the patients’ prefrontal, superior frontal, and superior parietal cortices, resulting to better cognitive function.

It’s time for a new start!

So you weren’t really health conscious in your 20s, 30s or 40s? It is okay. It’s not too late to change your ways for the better and improve your mental health. Try following one or two tips mentioned here until you are able to incorporate them all in your life.