One way to keep our noggins sharp is to challenge them by learning something new. Therefore, today’s brain exercise is brought to us by the Instagram account ‘Amazing Facts’ full of fresh and captivating information about practically anything and everything. Scroll down to start your mental workout, and make sure to share it with people close to you.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with brain trainer Holly Stokes and certified brain health coach and author Patty Tashiro, who kindly agreed to give us a few extra tips on how to keep our brains happy.
“Any activity that engages your cognitive skills can be called a brain exercise. These activities stimulate the brain and help develop memory skills,” explains Dr. Rashmi Byakodi.
Just like our body, the mind needs exercise in order to be healthy and serve us longer. "As we exercise the brain, whether doing brain puzzles, crosswords, sudoku or learning new things, it continues to encourage the neuroplasticity of the brain, which keeps it generating new connections," tells brain trainer Holly Stokes to Bored Panda.
Meanwhile, certified brain health coach and author Patty Tashiro adds, "Your brain controls every aspect of your life, from your health, wealth, and happiness to the quality of your relationships. Do you want that organ that runs your life to operate at its best? Or do you want it to struggle to function, lost in a fog, not sure how to make the most of your life? Exercising your brain, just like a muscle, helps your brain be at its best!"
Everyone can benefit from incorporating a couple of brain exercises into their routine, all it takes is a few minutes a day. In fact, studies have shown that it’s most effective to do these activities little by little each day instead of dedicating a few hours every week.
Since our brain is at the core of everything we do, keeping it healthy can improve a lot. Mental workouts help older adults have a more positive outlook on life and be more mindful and aware of their surroundings. It also can make daily tasks quicker and easier to do, which saves time and brings much satisfaction.
The trick is that these activities have to be varied and complex enough to challenge us. If something becomes too easy, it’s a sign that we need to change it.
“The more something is second nature, the less our brain has to work to do it,” notes Dr. James R. Bavis. If you solved the mini New York crossword puzzle in record time, moving on to something more difficult to get the most out of your brain might be time.
Aside from learning something new, one brain exercise that cognitive scientists approve is various Sudoku, board, and crossword puzzles, and other games that rely on logic, math, words, and visuospatial skills.
Such activities engage multiple cognitive abilities, which get our brains working and improve information processing speed and memory. So, it’s okay for adults to set aside some time in the day to play games!
Practicing meditation has also been proven to improve memory and processing power. Achieving a calm mental state engages our brain in different and interesting ways. “It helps stimulate the neural paths in your brain and thereby improves your observational skills, mental flexibility, focus, and concentration,” adds Dr. Rashmi Byakodi.
In addition, research shows that one of the best ways to exercise our brains is to use our non-dominant hand. As we’re used to doing everything with either the right or left hand, changing it up can make your brain work harder.
"Don't always read the same things or do the same puzzles. Mix it up. Try doing things with your non-dominant hand. It's challenging, but it's making new neural pathways!" notes Tashiro.
Socializing, reading books, expanding vocabulary, picking up a new language, playing an instrument, or listening to music are also great ways to improve our cognitive skills and be overall happier.
"Learning a new language is highly effective in developing new neural connections, which also creates new brain growth and enhances continued neuroplasticity and growth.
Also, learning to play a musical instrument does several things as well to generate continued brain flexibility and growth, including activating the whole brain, engaging in skill and flow activities, activating centers of creativity and focus, and also engaging the alpha brain wave states when we are focused on playing music," explains Stokes.
