A lot of people are dead on obsessed when it comes to getting fit and working out. They pick out food that won’t make them fat, make them lose weight faster and make them look better. This is a good thing if not done excessively. Humans are bipedal structures that require constant maintenance after all. However, how many people focus their attention on keeping a healthy mind?

It is a sad thing indeed in today’s society when something as important as the mind is not receiving as much attention as it needs. Believe it or not, your mind actually needs to work in order for it to stay sharp. And not just work as in choosing between two different dresses or what to cook or if you should use the dumbbells instead of the barbells, but Real work. Examples are things like calculating, imagining and self-reflecting.

These are fundamental parts of life that has now been reduced to the barest form because of modern convenience. Instead of calculating things in your head, you use a calculator. Instead of trying to figure out answers to simple puzzles on your own, you turn to the web. Instead of writing on a pad of paper which requires some concentration so you don’t make mistakes, you use the computer and let the auto-correction do it for you.

Granted, there are times when these conveniences are necessary. But for simple things like adding up the prices on your grocery lists, doing the crossword puzzle, or writing a diary, why not do them the old fashioned way?

As a case in point, have you noticed that your lessons back in high school are no longer as clear to you as they were back then? What about childhood memories? Can you remember every sight, sound and smell? You might think it’s impossible, but a lot of people actually have crystal-cut memories and can recall details up to the most inconsequential point. This is what you get when you put your noggin to work.

If you need some help with that, here are a few simple things you could do to have a mind like a blade.

Simple calculation

As already mentioned, even doing some basic arithmetic can help a lot in keeping your mind stay in shape. Add how many pounds of weight you lifted today. See if you can tell how much that shirt and skirt are in total before even going to the counter. Very simple and you don’t need to do all those difficult Physics stuff to be smart either, although it would definitely be a plus if you could.

Read

This does not include reading from gossip text messages or billboards. Read novels that have a different range of topics and functions from fiction, non-fiction, technical manuals and the like. If you can bear going through philosophical materials, then by all means do. Just make sure they are things to grip your attention long enough to get their points across.

Imagine

You can do this after reading books, watching TV or after seeing interesting images. Imagining allows your brain to take wings and fly through the stressful realities of life and allows it to be rejuvenated. If you are unclear on how to do this, then try simple stuff like pretending to be somebody else. You are not you and your situation in life is different. You could be rich or poor, strong or weak, smart or dumb. Whatever you choose, try to come up with as many details as you can. If you can imagine yourself in a dimly candlelit room, poring over some ancient texts in a mahogany desk that has scattered quills, ink bottles , pieces of parchment and you are wearing old fashioned clothes, then you are all set.

Debate

This is probably one of the best ways to keep your mind on its figurative toes. Talking to someone who has a completely different view of the world from what you have is a very important experience. Trying to explain your stand and trying to understand their side of things will put your mind in overdrive. Your brain cells will work harder, synapses in your brain will go faster than normal and it will give the chemicals it produces no excuse to laze around. By the end of it, you will find yourself energized and unable to keep still.

Sleep

Your brain needs ample rest, about eight hours of rest to be precise. Any less than that is potentially damaging, especially when accumulated over time. Of course, it is unreasonable to expect this from busy people. So just try the best you can.