When it comes to taking care of ourselves, most people are well aware of the benefits that come from keeping our bodies in top condition, but we often make the mistake of focusing solely on the neck down.

While it is highly important to maintain continued good health, there’s one other organ it’s essential not to overlook: our brain. With mental decline health not only a common issue among those who are ageing, but also individuals who are stressed and overworked, giving your brain a boost can be a great way to keep it performing at its best.

Here’s how to do it in four simple steps.

Play games

While most of us view exercise as an arduous yet necessary evil, keeping your brain in top condition is much more enjoyable than maintaining your other body parts. That’s because one of the easiest ways to do so is by playing games, whether these are word puzzles, math problems, or your pick from the collection of casino and slot games at MagicalVegas.com. The games found on the latter site help promote strategy and quick-thinking, not mention honing your mental maths skills in games like poker and blackjack. Requiring you to think on your feet and pay full attention to what you’re doing, research has indicated that this sort of activity not only stimulates new connections between nerve cells, but can even help the brain to generate new matter that protects against age-related decline.

Exercise often

While it may not be as fun as playing casino games or challenging your peers to high-stakes poker, studies indicate that using your muscles can also help your mind. This is because regular exercise increases the number of blood vessels in your brain, providing it with plenty of oxygen-rich blood to power it. Not only this, but exercise encourages the development of new nerve cells and connections between synapses, making your mind more efficient and adaptive in the process. This translates into better mental performance, as well as a reduction in stress, which can negatively impact your ability to work to your optimal potential.

Eat well

You may have heard people referring to certain items as ‘brain food’, and it’s true that good nutrition can help to improve your mental performance. While a healthy diet in general should be your goal, certain food groups in particular will prove helpful. Fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, unsaturated oils, and plant-based sources of protein all number among these, meaning you have plenty of menu options if you want to focus on fueling your brain to stay at the top of your game.

Make time for your mental health

As we’ve alluded to, mental health issues can have a negative impact on your cognitive function. Anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion all lead to lower scores in this area when measured against a control group – which is why practicing a degree of self-care is also important in helping to ensure optimal professional and intellectual performance. This means that focusing on ways to improve your mood and manage your condition, as well as speaking to your doctor or therapist if you don’t feel like you have a handle on things, can contribute to a healthier and more efficient brain.

Isn’t it time you tried applying these methods, to see how much four simple steps can boost your brain and help you to become your best self?