In this day and age, technological advancements are seeing a new high. With artificial intelligence and automation taking over, the human brain is becoming less active in exercising its own power, relying on readymade results instead. Stressful, fast paced lifestyle is also negatively affecting our mental health. Hence, one needs to stay sharp not only to make smart choices to sail one’s life boat smoothly but also to function well. 

Some quick and simple brain exercises to boost your mental health
 

• Try something new, or the same old, in a different way

  The brain stops making effort when the routine becomes fixed, predictable with no new activity or difference. To stimulate the brain, one can include even the smallest of changes, such as, trying a new recipe or method for preparing an old favourite, discovering a new route to cycle, practise using chopsticks, having fun while trying to paint with non-dominant hand, or even learning a new dance move.

 

• A game a day keeps the mental dullness away

  Who knew the games we play on a daily basis for some recreation, were actually brain exercises boosting our mental health in disguise!

  Play games like sudoku, chess, UNO (or any other card game), try crosswords, correctly framing jumbled words or solve random mystery problems challenging your logical or analytical reasoning abilities. Do it with your friends and family for some added fun. 
   

• Use your God gifted power

  Trusting the ability you possess. You are smarter than your smart gadgets. Reduce relying on technology to remember your shopping lists, do basic number calculations or use GPS for your frequented routes.
   

• Be social

  Exposing oneself to people from various backgrounds with different perspectives, ideas, and views, opens up room for discussion, new conversation and communication, stimulating the brain. It is also a great way to make more friends, hence, double the benefit! 
   

• Level-up to chisel your brain 

  You might have heard about chiseled body but a chiseled brain is equally attractive. Sharpen your brain by mastering what you already know. Always go for the next difficulty level after you get comfortable with a particular task to increase your brain power; just like you learnt making sentences after learning the alphabets in school.
   

• Meditate for some mental push-ups

  Yes, you heard it right! Mindful meditation even for just 5-10 minutes a day, can be regarded as a mental push-up, as it leads to a stronger, agile and more focused brain. Meditation provides relaxation from daily stress, wrings in positive emotions, drives away anxiety, improving upon our mental health. 
   

• If you snooze, you don’t always lose

  Now, the most effortless way to boost your mental health, sleep. One needs the ideal amount of sleep to recharge and function well. Adequate sleep is shown to drive away negative emotions and responses when affected by stressful situations/conditions. Hence, take a break from your gadgets at night for an undisturbed slumber to wake up focussed and mindful the next morning. 
   

Other factors that add to your mental wellbeing
 

• Brain healthy diet

  Including foods rich in minerals, vitamins and healthy fats in our diet is essential for our mental health. 
   

  Minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc are vital for the synthesis of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that affect our motivation level, mood, sleep quality and cognition. Deficiency of these neurotransmitters has been linked to depression.
   

  Consume iron rich foods like green leafy vegetables, lentils, beetroot; magnesium rich foods like dark chocolate, almonds, cashew nuts and zinc rich foods like shellfish, hemp, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
   

  Vitamin D, rich in food sources like egg, mushroom help in reducing depression like symptoms and vitamin B12 present in meat, dairy products help in keeping the brain and nervous system healthy.
   

  Healthy fats in the form of omega 3 fat rich foods like cod liver oil, walnuts, chia and flax seeds help prevent anxiety, depression, aid in sharpening memory and improve our learning ability.
   

• Physical exercise 

  Giving time to your physical upkeep also helps in being mentally healthy. Physical exercise improves sleep and results in the production of endorphins, which help lift one’s mood, reduce stress, make one feel energised and refreshed. Keeping your body physically active through various cardiovascular, aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, cycling has also been linked to reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety along with boosting self-confidence.
   

Along with our physical and mental wellbeing, financial security is also one of the topmost priorities to ensure a smooth journey ahead.  SRS Vitality Protect (tataaia.com) a term plan by Tata AIA, does both. This plan not only safeguards your future financial security but also covers your wellbeing, driving unwanted tension and stress over the future away. Furthermore, you get a 10% discount# on 1^st year premium.
 

Conclusion
 

These quick, simple yet effective brain exercises can be easily incorporated in your daily lifestyle to boost your mental wellbeing. Be it making everyday tasks more challenging, engaging, or trying out something new and exciting, there are multiple ways, as mentioned above, to stay sharp, focussed and healthy.