Why Starting a Meditation Habit Now Could Be a Game Changer Later in Life

1. Play Card Games

A study conducted in 2015 showed that regularly playing cards can actually increase brain volume in various regions, which is linked to improved cognitive functions like memory and critical thinking.

Not to mention, card games are a great way to boost focus, hone your decision-making skills, and connect with other players. Some popular favorites you can try out include poker, crazy eights, hearts, bridge, and gin rummy.

2. Strengthen Your Trivia Knowledge

Are you more of a "Jeopardy!" or "Family Feud" person? Regardless, trivia is an excellent way to exercise your brain and learn more across a wide variety of topics. The best part is that you can play solo or in a group.

Download a trivia app on your phone, hit up a trivia night at local bars or cafes, or play some trivia board games with friends or family. Participating in trivia regularly may improve both short-term and long-term memory retention.

3. Build Jigsaw Puzzles

From simple 100-piece images to more complex 1,000-piece works of art, puzzles are more than just a way to relax. They're also a great mental workout.

Building jigsaw puzzles has been shown to activate multiple cognitive functions, such as spatial reasoning, visual processing, and problem-solving, all of which are critical for preserving brain health as we mature.

4. Venture Off The Beaten Path

When we stick to the same routines day in and day out, our brains can get pretty complacent. Try shaking things up and stepping outside of your comfort zone by challenging your mind.

For instance, taking a different route to work is a small habit switch that can have a surprising impact on cognitive function. You'll be forcing your brain to adapt to new environments or processes and stimulating areas responsible for memory, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.

5. Play An Instrument

If you've ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument, there's never been a more perfect time. Again, since the brain is adaptable and continues forming new connections throughout your life, you can develop new skills at any age.

Plus, picking up an instrument requires concentration, coordination, and memory, making it a stellar brain exercise.

6. Learn A Foreign Language

You can reap significant cognitive benefits from learning a foreign language as well. Research suggests that being bilingual can actually enhance creativity, memory, and visual-spatial skills. It even makes it easier to switch between tasks and may help delay mental decline.

The best part? It's never too late to get started. There are plenty of language-learning apps available right on your smart device. Otherwise, visit a local class to connect with others who are also picking up a new language.

7. Teach Someone Else A Skill

It's one thing to learn a new skill; it's another to teach it to someone else. Not only will it reinforce your own knowledge, but it'll deepen your understanding further.

When you explain a concept or technique to another person, you have to break it down, identify key steps, and correct mistakes along the way. This helps solidify your grasp on the topic at hand while bolstering your memory.

8. Meditate

Finally, daily meditation does more than merely calm your mind or reduce stress. Regular practice may also improve memory and increase your brain's capacity to process information more efficiently.

All you have to do is take a few moments each day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind.

1. You're Anxious About Going To The Office

If you find yourself waking up in the morning with a pit in your stomach and wishing you could avoid the day ahead, it's a sign that your mind is overwhelmed. Feeling anxious or dreading going to work can be normal from time to time, but if it's a consistent pattern, these emotions may be a result of burnout or mounting stress. It's essential to listen to your body, as pushing through and going to work anyway could lead to further exhaustion and even more anxiety.

2. You Feel Burnt Out

Burnout has the ability to creep up on us gradually. When stress is unmanaged, or breaks are neglected, these feelings can build up over time and cause us to feel deeply exhausted. People suffering from burnout can experience a multitude of symptoms, from lower energy levels and mental fogginess to physical and emotional depletion.

3. You're Having Trouble Focusing

When we're stressed, our minds can become clouded, and concentrating at work becomes an impossible task. Even the simplest responsibilities may take more mental effort than ever before, and in the wake of this overwhelming feeling, the likelihood that we'll make mistakes increases.

Not to mention, the effects of stress extend beyond just focus and can also interfere with memory and the ability to retain new information. You may suddenly realize you're struggling to learn new skills or recall important details.

4. You're Constantly Getting Sick

Chronic stress can seriously affect your physical health as well, and if you're frequently getting sick, you may need to take a day off. Research has shown that stress triggers an increase in suppressor T cells and catecholamine levels, both of which suppress the immune system. So, you're left more vulnerable to illnesses.

A mental health break from work can help you lower stress and, in turn, boost your immune system's ability to fight off things like colds or viruses.

5. You're Getting Agitated Easily

After exhaustion and stress take over, it can be tough to keep our emotions in check. So, even tiny annoyances might trigger agitation or anger.

If you've begun snapping at coworkers or losing your temper over things that wouldn't normally bother you, it's a sign that your mental health is suffering. Taking a personal day will be good for both your well-being and the maintenance of your professional relationships.

6. It's Difficult To Sleep

Whether you're frustrated, anxious, or stressed, all of these emotions can make it tough to sleep at night. And if you're tossing and turning, not getting enough rest to sustain you throughout the workday, stress levels will continue to rise.

This pattern can spiral into a vicious cycle: the more sleep you lose, the harder it becomes to think clearly, leading to more stress and even more lost shut-eye. Sometimes, taking a mental health day to catch up on some much-needed sleep can break the cycle.

7. Your Eating Habits Have Changed

Much like sleep, stress can also have a significant impact on our eating habits as well. Some people may lose their appetite and skip meals due to anxiety, while others turn to food for comfort.

Both of these coping mechanisms are unhealthy and signal that your mental health is struggling. If you realize that you've been binging or avoiding food in response to work-related pressure, it's time to take a break.

8. Your Work Performance Has Dipped

Next, a decline in your work quality, from missed deadlines to challenges staying organized, may suggest your stress levels have reached a point where they're affecting your job performance.

If we're overwhelmed and our mental capacity becomes overloaded, it's tougher to prioritize tasks effectively and operate with a clear head.

9. You Feel Disconnected From Those Around You

Another telltale indicator is feeling disconnected from coworkers, friends, and family. You might feel misunderstood or as if you're on a different page than everyone else. Plus, as stress continues mounting, you may feel isolated and alone, even when surrounded by people. Taking a break from your routine and reconnecting with loved ones in your personal life can help you reset and ground your mental health.

10. You're Bringing Your Work Home

Last but not least, does it seem like work is constantly following you home? Perhaps you're always thinking about tasks, worrying about emails, or mentally replaying conversations from the office in your head.

Being unable to disconnect from work after hours is dangerous, as it impedes your work-life balance and doesn't give you a chance to properly rest and recharge. Additionally, blurring the line between work and home life can strain your personal relationships since you're less present with loved ones. A mental health day will allow you to step away, clear your mind, and restore a necessary boundary.

1. Wearing Green (And Pinching Those Who Aren't)

One of the easiest ways to cash in on the luck of St. Patrick's Day is by wearing green. This hue has deep ties to Ireland, which is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to its lush, rolling landscapes. Beyond its natural beauty, green also carries historical significance and symbolizes Irish nationalism and cultural pride.

The best part? There's a mischievous side to this fun and festive tradition. More specifically, those who forget to wear the color might find themselves on the receiving end of a pinch.

This playful custom is more common in the U.S. than in Ireland and stems from the idea that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who are known for their trickster ways. So, to avoid being "spotted" (or pinched), make sure you add a splash of green to your outfit.

2. Drowning A Shamrock In Whiskey

In Ireland, a well-known tradition is "drowning the shamrock," and it's believed to bring good luck. The shamrock has long been linked with Irish heritage and fortune. It's said to have been used by St. Patrick to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.

So, on March 17, many celebrate by dropping a fresh shamrock into a glass of whiskey, drinking the beverage, and then tossing the shamrock over their left shoulder for good luck.

3. Doing An Irish Jig

Get into the spirit of the holiday by learning an Irish jig! This energetic dance is a staple of Irish celebrations and is often performed in parades or festivals. It features quick footwork, pointed toes, and rhythmic hopping.

The Irish jig has deep roots in Celtic culture, possibly evolving from ancient clan marching tunes or early Celtic circle dances. Traditionally, Celts danced clockwise for joyous occasions and counterclockwise for mourning.

You can take a dance class, join in at a local event, or just work on some jig steps at home!

4. Searching For Four-Leaf Clovers

Hunting for a four-leaf clover is a classic St. Patty's Day pastime, and if you manage to find one, you should consider yourself super lucky.

While shamrocks typically have three leaves, the rare four-leaf clover is actually a genetic mutation, making it a real symbol of good fortune. In fact, experts estimate that only one in every 10,000 clovers has four leaves!

Test your luck this holiday by scanning a patch of clover quickly. Our brains are surprisingly good at spotting irregular patterns.

5. Release The "Devil" From Your Irish Soda Bread

Did you know that cutting a cross on top of Irish soda bread isn't just for aesthetics? According to Irish folklore, scoring a cross into the dough "lets the devil out" and ensures good luck and protection for your household.

This superstition, rooted in both Christian and pagan beliefs, was thought to ward off evil spirits. It also serves a practical purpose by allowing steam to escape, thus helping the bread bake evenly.

6. Run In A St. Patrick's Day Dash

Running a race might not be the first thing that comes to mind for March 17, but it's become a really fun tradition. St. Patrick's Day dashes can range from quick 5Ks to half marathons, with plenty of family-friendly walks for those who prefer a more leisurely pace.

Participants dress up in green, wear shamrocks, and sometimes even race while sporting leprechaun hats! It's a great way to stay active and possibly run your way into some good luck.

7. Chow Down On Corned Beef And Cabbage

It's just not St. Patrick's Day without a plate of corned beef and cabbage. Even though many associated this dish with Ireland, it actually has Irish-American roots.

When Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S., they found corned beef to be a more affordable alternative to traditional bacon. Paired with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, it became a comforting and flavorful meal that stuck as a holiday staple.

8. Kiss Someone Who Is Irish

Finally, you've definitely seen the phrase "Kiss me, I'm Irish" on T-shirts before. This fun saying is tied to the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, an act that's said to bring good luck.

However, not all of us have the ability to visit the Blarney Stone. So, kissing an Irish person is another way to honor the custom in the spirit of good fortune.