The mind is the most powerful tool that a human possesses. Our mind and body help us to navigate and understand the world around us. Our identity and reality are all connected to the mind, that is why it is important to exercise the mind. Exercising the mind simply means challenging it. Much like training for sports, the mind must also be trained to remain sharp and at peak performance.

Exercising the mind can be done in a variety of ways. One of the most common is reading. The more we read, the stronger the mind becomes. Reading is for the mind what cardio is for the heart. The more we read the more expansive our thoughts become. I recommend reading for at least 15-30 minutes every day. You can read a book, blogs, articles, or anything that requires you to focus and internalize. However, it is imperative that you pay attention to what you read. Reading things that lead to one’s personal detriment should be avoided. Be aware of the quality of what you read.

Another way to challenge the mind is to engage in intelligent discourse. I have many friends with different points of view with whom I often engage in conversation. I usually base my friendships on similar morality and not necessarily similar beliefs. I have many friends with unique takes on a variety of topics, ideas and concepts. We spend time debating and learning from one another and the discourse helps us to understand, challenge and change or strengthen our beliefs. I suggest to everyone that they engage in at least one conversation per day that requires you to use additional brain and mental energy. The conversation does not have to be with a close friend. It can be with a neighbour or a co-worker, but it is important to engage in discourse with someone who is respectful and has a different view from you.

Critical thinking is another way in which we can exercise the mind. I see critical thinking as an important higher cognitive skill. We should not be passive absorbers of knowledge but rather we should look at critical ways in which we can apply our knowledge to resolve issues or problems. Critical thinking also helps us to deconstruct the content that we consume and analyze it. We can also use our critical thinking skills when playing games or working in teams.

My last suggestion for this post would be meditation. Meditation is an important exercise for the mind. Meditation helps us to organize our thoughts and recentre ourselves. It is a great method for stress relief and allows for introspection and self-analysis. Meditation also compliments all other forms of exercise for the mind and brain. Just 5 minutes of meditation can make a difference.

The mind needs to be constantly challenged. We often focus on many things for the body that help to improve brain activity, but it is also important to engage in exercises that help to improve our mental activity. Our mind is a powerful tool and we must keep it sharp.

What are some ways in which you exercise your mind/brain?