Do you easily forget something? If yes then you should read this post to the end.
Researchers now believe that following a
brain-healthy lifestyle and performing
regular, targeted
brain exercises can also
increase your brain's cognitive reserve.
Giving your brain new experiences that
combine physical senses—vision, smell,
touch, taste, and hearing—with emotional
"sense" stimulates more connections
between different brain areas, causes
nerve cells to produce natural brain
nutrients that dramatically help memory,
and makes surrounding cells stronger and
more resistant to the effects of aging.
Try these brain exercises during your
morning routine or your down time and see
if you feel the difference.
1. Write instead of type (More Often)
We love our keyboards. They're much
more efficient at getting words on the
page than your hand, a pencil, and a
notebook. Nonetheless, you can learn more
effectively by writing longhand and so you
may want to ditch the laptop when you're
acquiring new knowledge. This happens
because your brain's filtering system (the
reticular activating system, or RAS)
processes what you're actively focusing on
at the moment. Writing triggers the RAS
and lets your brain know it's time to pay
attention.
2. Brush teeth with your non-dominant
hand.
Research has shown that using the
opposite side of your brain (as in this
exercise) can result in a rapid and
substantial expansion of in the parts of the
cortex that control and process tactile
information from the hand. Brush, and
don't forget to open the tube and apply
toothpaste in reverse, too.
3. Switch seats at the table.
In most families, everyone has his or her
"own" seat, but your brain benefits from
new experiences. Switch seats to change
whose position you occupy, who you relate
to, your view of the room, and even how
you reach for salt and pepper.
4. Challenge your mind.
One of the simplest methods to boost your
brain function is to keep on learning. The
size and structure of neurons and the
connections between them actually
change as you learn. This can take on
many forms above and beyond book
learning to include activities like traveling,
learning to play a musical instrument or
speak a foreign language, or participating
in social and community activities.
Another important method? Brain aerobics.
As with learning, challenging your brain
with mind-training exercises can keep your
brain fit as you age. This can be
something as simple as thinking of famous
people whose first names begin with the
letter A, doing crossword puzzles, or
playing board games that get you thinking.
Research has even shown that surfing the
Web activates regions in your brain related
to decision-making and complex reasoning.
So unlike passively watching TV, using the
Internet is an engaging task that may
actually help to improve your brainpower.
5. Make a new connection with your nose.
You probably don't remember when you
"learned" to associate the smell of coffee
with the start of a day. However, by
linking a new odor—say, vanilla, citrus, or
peppermint—to an activity, you'll alert new
neural pathways. Keep an extract of your
favorite scent near your bed for a week.
Open it and inhale when you first wake up,
andwhen you first wake up, and then again
as you bathe and dress.
6. Act Like You're Teaching.
You can utilize the skills you already have
more effectively by acting like you're
teaching. Rather than just recalling the
steps needed to complete the task at
hand, pretend as though you're teaching
yourself how to do it. This will help you
recall the necessary information better
and avoid making stupid mistakes.
7. Turn familiar objects upside down.
Literally.
When you look at things right-side up, your
left "verbal" brain quickly labels it and
diverts your attention elsewhere. When
they're upside down, your right brain
networks kick in, trying to interpret the
shapes, colors, and relationships of a
puzzling picture. Turn pictures of your
family, your desk clock, or an illustrated
calendar upside down.
8. Just do more than loving the music.
Recently, neuroscientists discovered
multiple ways that musical training
improves the function and connectivity of
different brain regions and improves
cognitive function. Practicing a musical
instrument increases brain volume and
strengthens communication between brain
areas.
9. Switch around your morning activities.
Brain imaging studies show that novel
tasks exercise large areas of the cortex,
indicating increased levels of brain activity
in several distinct areas. This activity
declines when the task becomes routine
and automatic. Get dressed after
breakfast, walk the dog on a new route, or
change your TV or news station. Even
watching a kids' program like Sesame
Street , for example, may arouse the brain
to notice how much of what you take for
granted is explored in depth by children.
10. Meditate, any time.
Nothing kills your ability to use your brain
effectively, as well as your brain's overall
health, like too much stress. What's a
great way to reduce your stress levels?
Meditation—and you don't need to do it
with incense and yoga pants. Just relax
during the day and take a few minutes to
take your thoughts away from your
routine.
