"Muscling up your brain is essential if you don't want to see your cognitive abilities decrease significantly with age. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, being open to others and continuing to learn are all part of the ABCs so that our intellect can continue to develop as the days go by. You are now warned, there is nothing left to do but...

Guest article written by Fifty & Me Magazine

Working the head and legs.

Many studies have shown that brisk walking (at least three times a week for 45 minutes) has beneficial effects on the brain. The same applies to the jogging and cycling, performed at medium intensity at the same frequency.

Indeed, during these sports activities, the volume of the hippocampus increases while dopamine (which affects morale) is released. The brain is supplied with oxygen and glucose.

The little extra: listen to music simultaneously. The brain activity is then in full power due to the coordination of our movements...

Showing empathy

Here, it is the mirror neurons that are solicited, namely those of learning by imitation and sharing with the other. When we feel empathy, when we listen to others, we stimulate these neurons.

Putting your neurons to work.

Crossword puzzles, memory games and sudoku puzzles are also excellent exercises. Finding a new hobby also allows for brain stimulation: learning a new language, getting involved with an association, taking up drawing, painting, etc. are all stimulating ideas for the brain. The effort of concentration required by all these activities allows the neurons to connect firmly to the neuronal networks and thus establish new connections. Note that the most effective of these would be learning to play a musical instrument... because it requires coordination of mind and movement.

So, are you ready to put these tips to music?