Exercises to Train and Develop Your Brain
The brain dictates everything you do in life. However, like other organs in your body, you need to keep your brain fit and healthy.
Brain exercises are a fantastic way to improve focus and memory and prevent deteriorative diseases such as dementia. As such, these exercises become more important as you get older. However, people of any age can enjoy the benefits of simple memory exercises in their daily life.
Read on for more information.
Try Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to strengthen your brain, whether you’re completing a 100 or 1,000 piece puzzle. Studies have shown that jigsaws require various cognitive abilities and limit visuospatial cognitive deterioration. In layman’s terms, jigsaw puzzles train your brain to analyse different things and see how they fit within the bigger picture.
Crossword Puzzles
Crosswords are word puzzles that involve finding and writing words into a grid of squares and blacked-out spaces. The goal is to fill in the words correctly. Crosswords can be a fun and challenging way to exercise and develop your brain. It can also help improve your memory, critical thinking, vocabulary, concentration, logic, analytical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills but still be an enjoyable way to pass the time.
However, if you find yourself stuck on a crossword puzzle, the NYT Crossword Daily can be a great resource that will provide you with helpful hints and solutions.
Play Card Games
Card games are another chance to stimulate your brain. Some studies show quicker card games can improve brain volume in various regions of your brain. The same research proved card games improve your thinking and memory skills.
Some of the best card games to play include:
- Solitaire
- Poker
- Hearts
- Bridge
- Gin rummy
- Crazy eights
Read
Reading is one of the best ways to learn new information, relax, build vocabulary, and simply broaden your mind. So whether you are looking for a good book or intriguing articles, there’s a wealth of information online.
For example, Nerdish.io is full of well-researched and engaging content on all sorts of subjects. Simply download the app and look for articles that pique your interest. If you don’t have time for a whole book, reading articles on your phone is a fantastic alternative.
Dance the Night Away
Believe it or not, dancing is proven to increase your brain’s memory and processing speed. There are many different dance activities you can try, including:
- Attend Zumba classes
- Enjoy online dance videos at home
- Go ballroom dancing with your partner or friend
- Grab your cowboy hat and denim for a spot of line-dancing
- Try salsa, hip–hop or contemporary dancing
Listen and Play Music
Chances are you already listen to music at some point every day. According to some studies, happy music generates more innovative thinking than sitting in silence. If you are stuck on a problem and can’t figure it out, feel-good music could bolster your creative energy and brainpower.
In addition, learning how to play an instrument is a great way to train your brain, improving cognitive function and muscle memory. Furthermore, learning new skills, in general, is a great way to strengthen your brain and improve your memory.
As you get older, acquiring new skills becomes even more important to prevent cognitive deterioration.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few ways to exercise your brain and develop your cognitive abilities. So whether you are looking to improve brain function or keep your mind healthy as you enter into your senior years, following these tips is an excellent way to stay sharp and increase your intelligence.