Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Young

It's a fact – as our brains age, we experience a decline in cognitive function. The good news is, "exercising" the brain has been shown to slow the effects of aging, keeping our brain younger, longer. Here are some easy ways to use your brain, and keep it healthy while you age:

• Reading. Regular reading keeps your brain active. Make sure it's something fun and interesting, so you don't fall asleep.

• Gardening. Using your hands requires fine-motor skills and dexterity, both of which are great exercise for your brain. This activity also requires many of your senses: touch, smell, and sight, further enhancing your brain function.

• Stay Social. Staying active within your social circles not only improves your emotional well-being, but your cognitive function, as well. Keeping up your end of a conversation requires quick thinking and reacting to what others say.

• Dance. Learning dance steps exercising the brain in a whole different way that typical "thinking" exercises. You will activate both motor and learning centers, all while giving your body the exercise it needs!

• Cooking. Because it exercises all your senses, and often requires learning something new, cooking is a great way to help your brain stay active.

The main thing to know is that using your brain, no matter how you choose to do so, is the single best way to slow mental decline and keep your mind as sharp as possible.