8 Ways to Expand Your Mind and Feed Your Soul

What are some new things you can do to think and find fulfillment at the same time?  

Here are my top eight to start making time for in your life:

1. Cooking and Trying New Recipes - When we cook, we take the words on a page (if you follow a recipe) and use the mind to create something tangible.  If you aim to cook healthy alternatives to some of your favorite dishes, that is a great way to think and create. It requires you to think of alternatives such as swapping butter for coconut oil, almond flour for white flour, to improve your health and still enjoy meals.  Learning to cook a new type of food such as Indian, Vietnamese, or how to make Sushi are also great ways to increase your mind power.
   
   
2. Learn a New Skill -  Each time we absorb a bit of information or dive deep into a course the brain forms new informational pathways.  It is similar to slowly breaking a habit or consciously changing your behavior until it becomes a habit. 
   
   
3. Podcasts and Masterclasses -  Learning from others builds connections, a growing sense of self, and allows you to acquire a new skill.  Many masterclasses online teach skills such as how to be a great public speaker, start your own online business, or market your current one like a pro.  Many also encourage you to get involved in their Facebook groups with other like-minded individuals. Podcasts have gained popularity recently as they inspire us to learn from others and become self-empowered.  We can hear straight from health practitioners on ways to improve our health. There are many podcasts and online classes available that cover anything and everything you can think of. 
   
   
4. Learn a New Language - In most high schools throughout the U.S., it is mandatory to take a language course for two years.  In California, Spanish or French are usually offered. If you started learning when you were in school, try picking up where you left off and practice as often as possible with writing it as well.  
   
   
5. Frequent Museum Events or Local Art Fairs -  Museums allow you to gain brilliant insights about history, both national and international that may not have been covered in depth within a grade school textbook.  Everyone loves a good story, and every art piece has one. Local art fairs provide a sense of community and a chance to talk with artists directly to hear their story behind their creations firsthand.   
   
   
6. Check Other Viewpoints - Most of us are aware that social media literally feeds us more of what we want to see according to our actions online.  We receive ads and links to sites that pertain to our interests. This keeps us entertained, however, what about the opposite of what we know and want to see? It may benefit you to scroll through comments on Instagram that catch your eye and see what experiences others had too.  This allows you to open up and see other aspects of a situation, a new take on a recipe, or a twist on a hot topic.  Another way to see the other side of things in life is to check different news websites than usual or take a chance on a Netflix show your friend was interested in and you found questionable.
   
   
7. Word games, Puzzles, and Crosswords - A large life-like picture puzzle can be an activity the entire family participates in.  It allows you to build something together and kids love the challenge of too. For those in the pre-teen years, games like Boggle, Scrabble,   or other word game can help them learn new words and increase their vocabulary in a fun way.  Many word games are available online too. Working on a crossword puzzle can be a relaxing way to quiet your mind (while still using it) in the evening.
   
   
8. Pictures, Art and Paintings - Surround yourself with memorable family pictures, art, and paintings that inspire you.  People say that a picture speaks a thousand words. This is true as we use our mind to evoke thoughts and memories.  We can be inspired to take our family to where we grew up, or where our ancestors are from. Looking at a wedding photo can inspire us to visit the surroundings of an area we once enjoyed. These are excellent ways to give your mind the vitamins it needs to stay active. All it takes is one of two of these that interest you and by doing them regularly you will help your mind to function at its best for years to come.

These are excellent ways to give your mind the vitamins it needs to stay active.  All it takes is one of two of these that interest you and by doing them regularly you will help your mind to function at its best for years to come.