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Just as you need physical exercise to keep your body performing well, you need mental exercise to keep your mind sharp!

Sure, we'll have those days when we just feel 'out of it.' This could be for any number of reasons such as working longer than normal hours or not getting enough sleep the night before. But, within a day or two you are usually snap back to your bright, attentive, and witty self.

Then, there may be weeks when you feel like you're really in a rut. You tend to be forgetful, you're slow to respond in conversation, or your comprehensive skills may slack. In extreme cases, you should visit your doctor to make sure it's not something more serious. However, in most cases you probably just need a mental tune-up!

As they say, 'use it or lose it.' That is certainly true with physical exercise. If you don't walk on the treadmill or lift weights, you'll lose your shape in no time! There are also exercises you can do to keep your mind alert and alive, too.

4 ways to keep your mind sharp:

1. Play games.

Yes, mental exercise can be fun! Games such as tic-tac-toe, chess, and checkers are great games to test your strategy skills. Ping pong, tennis, and racquetball are good to test your reflex skills. Hangman, Scrabble, word searches, and cross-word puzzles are excellent for word recognition skills. Don't just play the same games over and over again. Play a variety of games regularly to exercise different skills.

2. Revive your senses.

When you walk down the street or in the office building, it's easy to 'space off' or to think about the million things you have going on. Instead, use this opportunity to put your senses to work! Pay attention to what you see, the smells that you whiff, and the sounds that you hear. When you get to your home or desk, recall all those senses, write them down, and be descriptive. Do this everyday. The more you perform this exercise, the more interesting your descriptions will be. You'll naturally train yourself to look, smell, and listen with more concentration and detail.

3. Watch your diet.

You know the importance of a healthy, low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to maintain your overall health. But, there are foods that can help maintain your mental processes, too. Fish, flax seed, and walnuts are high in omage-3 fatty acids which protect the brain from inflammation. Tea, sage, and rosemary are known to stimulate your memory. Blueberries, strawberries, and spinach are high in antioxidants which can slow the process of your mind declining.

4. Work out.

Engaging in regular exercise keeps your body'and your mind on the move. Work out and you'll feel energized, alert, and clear-headed.

The tips above will help you increase your brain capacity and will help you feel better, too. You'll increase your memory and you'll be more attentive. So give your brain regular, healthy workouts. Feed it healthy foods. Challenge yourself and have fun!