Men who stay cognitively sharp and perceptive as they get older usually adopt these 6 subtle behaviors

The bad news is that you’re not getting any younger.

The good news is that age goes hand in hand with wisdom and intelligence – as long as you put in the effort and continually work on yourself, that is.

Let’s dive right in!

Men who stay cognitively sharp and perceptive as they get older usually adopt these 6 behaviors.

1) They don’t sacrifice their sleep for the sake of “success”

You’ve probably heard it all before, but seeing as you’re reading this article, you may need a reminder.

Sleep is absolutely essential.

In fact, expert Matthew Walker PhD says in his book Why We Sleep that “sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day – Mother Nature’s best effort yet at contra-death.”

Not only does a good night’s sleep help you memorize new information better and retain it but it also increases your ability to concentrate, boosts your creativity, and contributes to your physical health, thereby granting you more time and ability to perform at your best and enjoy life to its fullest.

If you sacrifice your sleep for the sake of temporary victories, you’re actually hindering your success in the long run.

Yes, that email can wait. No, your business won’t collapse overnight. Yes, that extra hour of sleep is absolutely crucial.

If you want to stay cognitively sharp and show up as your healthiest, most productive version for as long as possible, the number one rule is to get enough sleep.

And by “enough,” I don’t mean six hours per night. We’re talking a solid eight to nine-hour good night’s sleep.

2) They make healthier eating choices

First things first: I’m not going to tell you to never eat fast food again. That’d be very naïve (and hypocritical) of me.

But the truth of the matter is that men who maintain cognitive health for longer do tend to make healthier eating choices – instead of eating fried chicken wings or hamburgers every evening, they have salmon and vegetables; instead of ordering a pizza every other day, they bake their own, healthier version.

“Right. Where’s the proof, though?”

Good question.

Did you know that your gut is connected to the brain via the vagus nerve and that the state of your intestines can affect cognition and mood?

As Miriam Frankel and Matt Warren write for BBC:

“Over the last few decades, researchers have started to uncover curious, compelling – and sometimes controversial – evidence to suggest that the gut microbiota doesn’t just help to keep our brains in prime working order by helping to free up nutrients for it from our food, but may also help to shape our very thoughts and behaviour.”

They add, “A Mediterranean diet that’s high in fibre, particularly from vegetables, is likely a good place to start. And fermented foods, such as kimchi and kefir (a fermented milk drink) may also be beneficial.”

The next time you’re about to buy that cheeseburger for the third day in a row, ask yourself whether there is a better choice you could make right now – one that can satisfy you just as much and benefit you in the long run.

3) They prioritize their close relationships

Far too many men make one major mistake: they don’t realize just how important their relationships with others are.

In other words, they don’t know what they have until it’s too late.

But maintaining your relationships, be it family, friendships, or romance, isn’t just about staying connected. No, it goes much deeper than that.

Studies show that it is our relationships (rather than our jobs or passions) that determine our subjective well-being the most.

Not only that but experts also say having a diverse range of healthy friendships can help us stay cognitively sharp and physically healthy, especially as we get older.

As the PhD student in Epidemiology Talha Ali writes:

“In old age, engaging in social activities acts as a cognitive stimulus that keeps us mentally sharp. It is especially important in late life to preserve social relationships because our social networks tend to shrink over time. Retirement, divorce, illness, and death of close friends and relatives lead to losses in social ties that can be hard to replace.”

She also points out that close social relationships can motivate us to eat healthy and exercise, boosting our cognitive and physical health all the more.

Call your cousin. Text your friend. Schedule that long-overdue coffee catchup.

Regular hangouts with friends are more important than you think.

4) They continue to expand their horizons

The older we get, the more specialized our jobs usually become.

This is both amazing – it means you’re slowly becoming an expert at what you do – and terrible (because you’re stuck in the same old routine and may not challenge yourself as often).

The key here is to continually go outside your comfort zone and take a genuine interest in new, exciting concepts.

It’s to pick up new hobbies knowing you may embarrass yourself. It’s to be an absolute beginner again and again. It’s to stay curious and to pursue that curiosity with relentless drive.

To put it simply, men who stay cognitively sharp and perceptive don’t let themselves stagnate.

They are more than happy to learn new information, get to know people from different backgrounds, change their opinions if they’re provided with enough valid evidence, and grow as time goes by.

Ultimately, it is their dedication to lifelong learning that helps them maintain their cognitive and emotional health for longer.

5) They enjoy playing mentally stimulating games

“According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the more people over 50 engage in games such as sudoku and crosswords, the better their brains function,” reports Healthline.

“People who do puzzles have brain function equivalent to 10 years younger than their age, according to the study tests,” the writers add. “On short-term memory tests, puzzle takers had brain function equivalent to eight years younger.”

The message here is loud and clear.

If you want to stay in shape on a cognitive level, you better play mentally stimulating games, from Sudoku to crossword puzzles, intellectually engaging video games, or chess.

If you’re a fan of maths, another great idea is to do a few mathematical equations with your cup of coffee every morning.

Personally, I have a Sudoku book next to my bed. Sometimes (I’d be lying if I said I did it every evening – I’m not perfect), I pick it up before I go to sleep and play a short game.

6) They strive to be more mindful

Almost every article online will tell you that if you want to be happier, smarter, or less anxious, you should meditate more often.

The advice has gotten so repetitive now that you might automatically skip over those sections, rolling your eyes.

But that would be a mistake.

Why?

Because it is often the simplest things that can benefit us the most – if only we make the decision to actually give it a shot and take it seriously.

 And this includes mindfulness.

Look, I’m not saying you need to meditate for half an hour every morning. You don’t have to meditate at all if you’re not feeling up for it.

All I’m saying is that it may be a good idea to become mindful of what you’re doing in the present moment, be it brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or taking a walk in the park.

Mindfulness isn’t necessarily about closing your eyes and trying to focus on your breathing. It’s also what you do when you observe your environment, when you concentrate on the activity you’re doing in the here and now, or when you’re actively listening to someone talk.

It’s all about being in the Now as much as you can.

Unsurprisingly, studies confirm that mindfulness benefits cognition.

So, slow down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus on where you are right now. Appreciate this moment for what it is.

Sometimes, that’s all you need to do in order to improve your chances of staying cognitively sharp and perceptive as you get older.

Pay attention.