The Importance of Exercising Your Mind

Imagine you never pushed yourself to learn more or never challenged yourself to do more beyond high school. What if you decided that you had reached your maximum potential? Where do you think you would be at right now? The world is ever-changing, as are you, which is why it is important to learn how to adapt to and overcome the challenges of life. Part of how you do this is by exercising your mind.

We have all heard of the importance of exercising and the benefits it has on your physical body. Why is it so hard to believe that exercising your mind would not be just as important? Not only can this strengthen your neural pathways, but it can also create new ones. Exercising your mind helps you maintain mental wellness and can even build resilience to stress. 

There are many ways to exercise your mind. Some examples would include completing a puzzle, learning a new language, trying out a new hobby, etc. The key is to challenge yourself and build upon your intellectual capacity. If you don’t exercise your mind regularly, it will become much more difficult to adapt to new situations, effectively process information, and think critically. Exercising your mind keeps your brain young and healthy, and you will see the positive benefits in all areas of your life. It will become easier for you to regulate your emotions, fall asleep naturally, recall past experiences and use that knowledge for future endeavors, reduce stress, and you will be able to work more efficiently.

I challenge you to push yourself out of your comfort zone this week, and challenge your mind in some way. Maybe this means changing up your routine, going to an escape room, working on a 1,000 piece puzzle, or whatever challenge you can think of. Exercising your mind can be fun, and it will increase your brainpower. What will you do today to strengthen your brain and make your life better for tomorrow? Your mind is like a machine. Make sure to keep up its maintenance.

-Meghan Slaughter