The 8 Best Exercises To Train And Increase Brain Power
Activities as simple as handwriting, reading or walking can be essential to promote your brain power and avoid the cognitive deterioration that can appear with walking weather.
Increasing brain power is a healthy habit that we must do on a regular basis. Just as physical exercise is one of the best ways to increase our body’s strength, endurance and flexibility, there are certain workouts to exercise the brain.
This is essential to help preserve memory and other important skills. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of exercises that take care of your health and protect your cognitive functions. Next, we detail the 8 best ones so you can start including them in your routine.
8 exercises to train and increase brain power
Although it sounds strange, the brain remains active even when the body is at rest. In the same way that we exercise to stay healthy, the complexity of this organ requires that specific activities be carried out to keep it in good shape. Get to know them below.
1. Write by hand
We are in an age where technology facilitates an important part of daily activities. These include those that have to do with writing. Tablets, cell phones, and all keyboard devices help save time typing. In fact, it is more efficient when doing certain tasks.
However, writing by hand is a skill that should not be neglected, since it helps to work areas of the brain that allow for meaningful learning. This is because this part of the body processes what you are doing while you focus on writing.
This is confirmed by a publication in Psychology Today , in which it was shown that this practice, especially if it is in italics, causes the mind to develop a kind of functional specialization that integrates both sensation and movement control, as well as movement. thought.
2. Practice simple math every day
Math activities are one of the best exercises to strengthen memory and increase brain power. In fact, research published in the journal Age found that solving arithmetic problems was found to be effective in improving cognitive functions in older people.
The exercises can be done by hand, or you can take advantage of some of the applications that have been designed for mobile devices and computers. A good option is to complete the minute challenge, which consists of solving as many math problems as possible before the 60 seconds are up.
3. Solve sudokus
The classic sudoku game is a very popular mental activity, which aims to fill in a grid with numbers from 1 to 9, without repeating them in any direction. This game is demanding on the mind and contributes to improving problem solving skills.
In relation to this, a study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates that participating in stimulating games such as Sudoku or crossword puzzles could benefit brain function in people over 50 years of age.
4. Put together puzzles
Another exercise to increase brain power is to put together puzzles. This activity, according to a study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience , is an excellent way to improve cognitive skills, since when trying to complete the image, different pieces must be analyzed to know where they fit.
5. Read
Reading is a basic exercise to increase brain power and develop cognitive thinking. In addition, this type of practice helps to relax the mind and decrease the tension associated with excess stress.
As stated in a study by Brain Connectivity in which it was evidenced, through the use of magnetic resonance images, that, during the reading period of a novel, the brain connectivity of the participants increased in the part of the brain that responds to sensations physical such as movement and pain.
6. Learn another language
No matter how old you are, learning another language helps to work on regions of the cerebral cortex that are associated with acoustic processing, comprehension and also the articulation of words. In addition, it enhances the ability to learn.
According to a publication by Cerebrum , bilingualism can contribute to better memory, better visual-spatial skills and higher levels of creativity. It is never too late to learn. Go ahead and study a new language and enjoy the benefits of this new skill.
7. Exercise
It is no secret to anyone that exercising is essential for good health, both of the body and the mind. Walking and similar activities can improve cognitive function in older people, including verbal memory, fluency, and attention.
In this regard, information published in Harvard Medical School suggests that physical activity slows down cognitive decline and can even reduce the risk of dementia. Furthermore, it suggests that the benefits are almost instantaneous. So don’t hesitate to exercise if you need to focus or solve problems. Check the results!
8. Develop a new skill, ideal for gaining brain power
As with language, as a study published in the journal Psychological Science indicates , developing a new skill that activates reasoning, spreads continuous learning, and stimulates the intellect could help improve memory in older adults.
As you can see, all these simple exercises stimulate brain activity and are also a good option to mitigate the effects of stress. No matter how old you are, it is never too late to take care of your health. Dare to practice them!
