The key to improve your memory – is by exercising your brain.

Everyone knows that the key to a healthy body is Diet and Exercise. Many people obsessively work out every day to keep in tip top shape.

Why aren’t we just as concerned with our minds?

You’ve heard the saying “Use it or Lose it”, this pertains to our brains just as much as our muscles. If you don’t do daily activities to keep your brain in tip top shape – what happens?

You lose important skills. Particularly the skill of remembering. If you’ve been forgetting things – like where you put your car keys, your grocery list, your mom’s phone number … You need to start exercising your brain!

How exactly do you exercise your brain?

Sorry to say there’s no brain gym where you can go to strengthen it. Your brain needs to be challenged.

Here are 7 tips to improve your memory and to exercise your brain:

1. Read the Newspaper
Expand your knowledge. Know what is happening in the world. Keeping up with world events keeps your mind active. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that the spryest of our elderly people, are usually up on current events.

2. Read a Good Book
Reading a good novel while curled up in your favorite chair isn’t just relaxing – It helps keep your creative juices flowing in your brain.

3. Do Crossword Puzzles
Regularly solving crossword puzzles help you remember things by making you access simple memories – such as words. Try various types of puzzles that require you to use your language skills.

4. Puzzles
From good old fashioned jigsaw puzzles to the latest puzzle craze like Sudoku. This includes brain teasers like the Rubik’s cube and puzzle boxes and rings. A puzzle challenges your brain and exercises your brains deductive reasoning. Puzzle Master has a large and unique collection of wire and wood brain teasers and puzzles.

5. Learn Something New
You’re never too young or old to learn. Learning something new can be fun and invigorating. Learn to play a musical instrument, a new sport or a new hobby. Learning keeps your memory accessing skills limber.

6. Play Games
There are tons of games that make your mind work. From the game of Chess to some popular children’s games like Memory. There are tons of word games like Scrabble or Wheel of Fortune. Playing cards stimulates your mind too – whether you’re playing a solitaire, bridge or a game of go-fish. Games are a great way to get the family involved. You can get Scientific Brain Training online: Lumosity Brain Fitness Program. Only $6.60 a month.

7. Exercise
Yep, that’s right – good ole physical exercise helps keep your brain healthy as well. Walking an hour a day can help prevent or slow memory loss. You see there’s a double benefit for getting in your daily exercise – improve your body and your brain at the same time.

It’s never too early to be concerned about memory loss. Begin exercising your brain today – while it’s still sharp. You may not be able to bring your memory back, but you can keep it from fading.

Regularly working your mind has even been shown to ward off Alzheimer’s. So if you want to keep your mind sharp, be sure to eat right, get enough rest, and exercise regularly.