Does exercise help your brain? Well, let’s put it like this… the less active your mind is, studies show the more your brain loses some functionality as you age, which leads to memory loss, brain fog, and even Alzheimer’s.

If that’s not enough to start giving your brain a mental workout, another benefit is a well-stimulated brain also helps you feel better by elevating your mood.

Here are 5 brain boosting activities you can do to keep your thinking sharp:

1. Play games that challenge and stimulate your mind. These include:

• Picture Puzzles

• Strategy Games

• Crossword Puzzles

• Card Games

• Deduction Games (such as Clue)

• Visualization Puzzles

• Optical Illusions

2. Reading stimulates the brain as it activates your imagination. Reading also helps with memory retention and problem solving, especially if you’re reading a mystery. Also, self-help books stimulate your brain by helping you to think for yourself, as well as find solutions in your mind.

3. Exercising helps circulate blood that carries oxygen to your brain. Over the long-term, exercise is proven to increase brainpower and even create new neurons.

4. Stimulate your brain with meditation. Meditation has been shown to increase your IQ, relieve stress, and promote a higher level of brain functioning. Meditation also stimulates the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the area of the brain responsible for advanced thinking, ability and performance.

5. Deep breathing helps deliver oxygen to your brain. Oxygen helps you be more alert and awake. As little as 10 to 15 minutes of deep breathing daily can increase brain functionality.

So, does exercise help your brain? Yes, if you take it one step at a time. This is not a sprint. Just pick one or two of these activities, and do them daily. You’ll start feeling the difference in no time.