How to keep an active mind and train your brain to prevent illness

Did you know that the health of your mind can directly impact the health of your body?

For many of us, getting older offers both challenges and opportunities. While external changes ageing brings for our bodies can be obvious, understanding how our minds are impacted by age can be less noticeable. 

We may be more likely to focus on and measure our physical health, but nurturing an active mind is just as important and can also have a flow-on effect on the strength and wellbeing of your physical body. With intrinsic links between our cognitive health and our physical health, prioritising both is of equal importance as we continue to age. For menopausal women, evaluating how they’re supporting their minds can be one fundamental way to boost mental, physical, and emotional health throughout every change menopause is likely to bring.

How an active mind can train your body to prevent illness

Our brains aren’t just our cognitive command centres, responsible for governing thoughts, memories, thinking, and decisions – they also play a crucial role in regulating bodily functions and the responses of our immune systems.

An engaged, stimulated mind can support the release of a wide range of neurotransmitters that promote mental clarity, physical strength, and wellbeing. Cognitive challenges, such as puzzles, developing new skills, or a good old-fashioned deep thought session, can also cause our bodies to release chemicals that combat the impact of stress and inflammation. As stress and inflammation are directly linked to many diverse illnesses and ailments, reducing their levels is one simple way that an active mind can promote better health and physical wellbeing.

An active, engaged mind can also promote resilience, supporting positive coping mechanisms that can reduce the toll stress takes on our bodies. As stress can suppress the immune system when it’s not managed (leaving us less defended against common illnesses), a robust mind can directly benefit managing and protecting our physical health. 

Alongside the direct benefits of an active mind in preventing illnesses, a healthy mental state can also positively contribute to healthier lifestyle choices, such as dietary intake, sleep patterns, physical activity, and stress-reducing activities. 

Think of your brain like a guard on watch: when it’s active and aware, it’s much harder for negative impacts or ailments to make their way through and impact our physical health.

How to support brain health on a daily basis

Thankfully, supporting our brain health can be easy and highly enjoyable. With all kinds of activities contributing to better cognitive function and increased brain activity, choosing one that suits your preferences means you’ll be much more likely to keep building positive support for your overall health through an active and engaged brain.

These options include:

• Mental workouts. The next time you’ve got five minutes, opt for a crossword puzzle, a captivating book, or a strategy-driven game instead of scrolling through your phone. These activities can be a great source of solo or group enjoyment, giving you fun, engagement, and the benefits of exercising your brain muscles in the process. Time for another round of Scrabble? We think so.
• Taking on a new physical experience. When was the last time you had to concentrate on how you’re moving your body? You can reap all the benefits of physical activity while giving your brain some exercise by choosing a physical experience that’s going to stretch your mental capacities. Consider taking on a new form of yoga, limbering up at a rock climbing wall, dancing your way through a Zumba class, or pushing the limits in a barre session to keep your brain engaged while your body’s moving.
• Making the most of social bonds. Not only are strong social connections great for our emotional wellbeing, but they’re also supportive of enhanced cognitive function. Each time you enjoy a moment with friends, you’re also likely to experience the benefits of growing your mental resilience and flexibility.
• Enjoying a balanced diet. Particular foods can act like rocket fuel for our brains, giving them the necessary support for daily demands. Omega-3 fatty acids and foods high in antioxidants are simple to incorporate into your regular meals, providing an enjoyable, practical way to boost your brain’s abilities.
• Making the most of a healthy sleep routine. Want to give your brain great support for another day of activity? Prioritise a good night’s sleep. With significant benefits linked to healthy sleep routines, cognitive functions are built on the bedrock of sleep. 

Want to increase your brain’s activity? Give it a challenge

Our brains love a good challenge, with continual learning playing a key role in supporting ongoing cognitive abilities and engagement. Every time we’re attempting to learn a new lesson, build a new skill, hone an existing ability, or navigating a new challenge, we’ve got a natural opportunity to stretch the boundaries of our brains.

Cognitive decline is all too common a result of menopause’s physiological changes. With symptoms including forgetfulness, delayed verbal memory, and impaired verbal learning, it’s important to prioritise ongoing challenges as you enter into menopause’s transitions. This is one simple way you can reduce the impact of menopause on your cognitive abilities, supporting the health of your memory and processing in the midst of hormonal fluctuations. 

In our digital landscape, online learning platforms can offer an easy, on-demand way to pick up a new skill or attempt a new hobby. Hands-on workshops, travelling to new environments, engaging in book clubs, learning a new language, or picking up a beloved art and craft – these are all great ways to keep supporting your brain’s cognitive abilities, giving it small, tangible challenges it can engage with on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Prioritising an active brain isn’t just wise during menopausal transitions, but through every stage of our lives. You can choose to prioritise your cognitive health by engaging in preventative measures, giving your brain new challenges, and building a healthy routine that supports brain-boosting activities and impacts. 

Looking to learn more about the impact of menopause on your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing? Reach out to the team at Australian Menopause Centre and find holistic support for every aspect of your menopausal experience.