Our brains need special attention, and scientists have found that it is with them that we should exercise regularly and the most. Here's a way to check what shape your brain is in!
Even the brain can "dry up" if it we do not provide adequate stimulation – the cognitive reserve of our brain is namely decreases over the years, meaning that its ability to withstand neurological "damage" from aging and other factors is always worse. The result is that it becomes more difficult to perform mental tasks that we thought were completely self-evident years ago.
Scientists say that just as full-body exercises help build muscle and look vital, so does exercise targeted brain exercises increases the cognitive reserve of our brain. How?
Exercises for smart heads:
1. Do jigsaw puzzles regularly.
Whether you're putting together a 1,000-piece or just a 100-piece puzzle, this kind of exercise is a great way to strengthen your brain, scientists say. V research from 2018 found that by regularly putting together puzzles you are training many cognitive skills and that it is a great way to preserve cognitive-spatial sense of the environment. When you put together a puzzle, you have to look at the different pieces and figure out how they fit into the bigger picture, which is a great challenge for the brain.
2. Train your vocabulary.
A richer vocabulary will not only help you appear smarter in the eyes of others, but the latter also stimulated your brain. Research from 2016 confirms that many brain areas are involved in verbal tasks, especially those that are important for visually and auditory processing. To test this theory, you need this activity to be carried out in the following way:
- write things down as you read
- write down the unknown word and assign its meaning
- use the same word five times the next day
3. Listen/make music.
Now you finally have an excuse as to why you're allowed to listen (loud) music - according to the data from research, performed in 2017, listening to happy tunes helps drive your brain to innovative solutions.
Good music that suits your ears will improve creative thinking and brain power. If you've even thought about creating your own music, go ahead, because it's not too late, because the brain is supposed to be able to learn it in at any point in life. You are never too old to start singing or learn to play an instrument.
It should also have the same effect dance, namely learning new dance steps should increase operation and memory yours of the brain.
4. Approach familiar things in a different way every time.
As you go about your daily tasks, no be monotonous. Clearly, some obligations require precise execution, but those that don't, you do differently. Look for interesting ways to tackle things you otherwise wouldn't you know perfectly well and they are part of yours daily routines.
An interesting test for your brain will be to run errands take a different route every day do you go with other means of transport. V research from 1997, they found that the brain is strongly affected by any change (which is unexpected) and you will be surprised how all these challenges you give to the brain pay off in the long run.
5. Exercise regularly.
V studies from 2019, in which scientists dealt with the question of the connection between exercise, memory and memory, found that moderate 30 minutes of exercise changes how your brain works, namely the ability to recognize names and remember information. The effects of exercise thus supposedly accumulate and lead to long-term improvements in brain function. Have you exercised today?
Other tricks to check the shape of your brain:
1. Make a list of things, that come to your mind (shop, errands...) and remember it. After an hour, check how many things you have left in your memory.
2. Draw a map of the streets where you live. You can challenge your brain by drawing a map of your surroundings from memory. No cheating! Try to include main streets, side streets and landmarks. When finished, compare the actual folder with your drawing.
3. Solve challenges in your head. Solve all those tasks (especially mathematical ones) for which you would otherwise use a pencil and pen in your head. In this way, your brain will actually get a workout, but you will make it more difficult if you walk around while calculating.
4. Challenge your senses. While you eat, focus on each of your senses. Try to find out which ingredients are in the dish, especially spices and herbs.
5. Do things with your eyes closed. Tasks that you can do with your eyes closed, such as washing the dishes or taking a shower, will force your brain to use other neural pathways to complete a specific task.
6. Brush your teeth with the opposite hand. Brush your teeth with the hand that you would otherwise not use - in this way, you should contribute to a significant "expansion" in the parts where the cerebral cortex is located (the latter is responsible for memory, attention, thinking, speech, consciousness...), which it controls and processes tactile information from your hands.
