Mind

Keeping your mind active and healthy is important for your overall well being.

A lot of focus is placed on physical activity but the health of our minds can often be forgotten.

A healthy mind means not only trying to be positive and stay calm but also keeping your mind thinking, and ensuring you get the right nutrients to support your brain function.

So make time for a meditation session to clear the daily clutter and stresses from your mind, and keep your brain active by doing some puzzles or other brain-teasers.

Most importantly, remember to ensure an adequate intake of Omega 3 to help support healthy brain function.

How to Clear the Mental Clutter

Your brain often gets cluttered with the stresses of daily life, whether it's work, home or relationships. Therefore, make an effort to 'cleanse' your mind regularly.
When you start feeling overwhelmed make sure you take a few minutes for yourself and focus on what’s really important.

Breathe in

Meditation is a great way to relax and de-stress. Find a quiet place, sit down and then breathe slowly and deeply. Picture your worries and troubles floating away and imagine yourself filled with positive energy.

Take a walk on the quiet side

One of the best ways to relax is to put on your runners and get outside for a walk or run. Enjoy your favourite tunes on your mp3 player or just enjoy the quiet.

End the day on a positive note

Before drifting off to sleep, end each day with a positive thought. Read an inspiring book, reflect on something positive you did that day or simply listen to soothing music as your mind drifts off to sleep.

Stop and smell the roses

Use the power of aromatherapy to help your mind focus. Oils with lavender or ylang ylang can help the mind unwind or de-stress, while fragrances such as peppermint and orange can invigorate and energise. Use oils in a relaxing bath, in an oil burner at home or at work or light a scented candle for a more subtle effect.

Write it down

Many of us keep a journal when we’re young but often slip out of the habit as we grow older. Journals are a wonderful tool for processing thoughts, tracking hopes and plans for the future, and fleshing out feelings about the day's events.
You don’t have to write daily or even weekly, just when you have something you want to say.

Find a happy place

One of the best ways to feel positive is simply to “think” positive. Negativity can freeze your ability to handle stress and think calmly and creatively. By having a more optimistic outlook on life you open yourself up to new opportunities, view hurdles as challenges and be more effective in finding solutions to problems.

Just say no

Many of us find it really hard to say no. We feel obligated to say yes to babysitting for a friend, yes to taking on an extra project at work and yes to the demands of our partners and children. It’s important to learn that it is not selfish to say no sometimes.
Too many of us add stress to our lives by taking on too much. Don't be afraid to turn things down so that you can focus on the things that really matter and still allow some time for yourself.

Stay on target

To make sure that you feel your life is on track, it is helpful to set yourself goals and write them down. Think about where you'd like to be in your career, how you'd like to be financially, if there is a new hobby you'd like to take up and how you'd like your relationships to look.
By really thinking about what you want and then writing it down, you’ll find it easier to work towards achieving what matters to you.

How to keep your mind active

Your mind needs just as much exercise as your body to stay active and healthy.
Challenge your mind by learning about something new. Choose something that you've always wanted to know more about or a language you’ve always wanted to speak and make it a priority to learn. Take a course, spend time researching at the local library or via the internet or join a relevant club or society.
Sudoku, crosswords, trivia and memory games are other great ways to keep your brain sharp and alert. Check out the puzzles in your favourite magazine or try a few of our favourites.

Click here to play our Memory Game.