Keeping mentally fit isn’t that different from staying in good physical shape. In fact the two go hand in hand. Your mental health can be inextricably tied to your fitness level. In the end – it’s really just about lifestyle. If you exercise regularly, you’re already on the right track! Medical research experts suggest that up to a quarter of the blood pumping through your body is delivering performance enhancing oxygen to your brain as you exercise.

Food choices are vital to your brain’s overall health. Start by cutting the unhealthy fats from your diet. The brain actually benefits from healthy omega-3 fats. Cholesterol buildup can reduce the oxygen supply to your brain by almost 20 percent over time. Load up on foods rich in antioxidants, such as strawberries or red beans, to nurture brain cell health.

Add cold-water, wild caught fish like salmon to your diet. Eating fish helps reduce inflammation, increase memory, and help your brain send and receive messages efficiently. Eat lots of leafy green vegetables like spinach. Spinach is rich in folate which is known to enhance your brain’s processing power! Spinach even provides a little calcium too! Vegetables – 4 to 5 servings every day are key to the popular ( and effective ) DASH diet.

Another way many people stay sharp is to try new things. Learn a new language. Try a crossword puzzle or even Sudoku. Give your brain a workout with new and different mental challenges.