Just as you need physical exercise to keep your body healthy, you need mental exercise to keep your brain healthy. Brain exercises help reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment, which "is a transitional state between normal aging and the earliest features of Alzheimer's disease," according to the Mayo Clinic. You can exercise your brain now and reduce future memory loss by following simple brain exercise techniques.
Use Your Non-Dominant Hand
Using your non-dominant hand for simple tasks such as brushing your teeth or moving the mouse of your computer can strengthen existing and create new neural connections, according to the Franklin Institute. Your motions with your non-dominant hand will be less precise and accurate, and you will likely feel awkward and uncomfortable. However, using your non-dominant hand teaches your brain a new skill, which improves functioning.
Use Your Senses
Use one or more senses during everyday tasks such as getting dressed or washing your hair. Close your eyes during these routines and rely on your other senses to aid you through the processes. Similarly, combining two senses also exercises your brain according to Franklin Institute. Smell flowers while listening to music or watch clouds while playing with modeling clay.
Learn A Language
Learning a new language exercises your brain and may help reduce age-related decline. Learning new things in general increases your brain functioning, but according to the University at Albany, one of the best brain exercises incorporates learning a new language.
Do A Puzzle
Puzzles and games such as crosswords and riddles not only serve as entertainment, but also increase brain functioning by providing mental stimulation. You may do these puzzles or games in a few spare minutes a day, when waiting for appointments or while watching your favorite television show. Puzzles and brain games serve to exercise your mental muscle while completing mundane tasks.
Make a List
Make a list of 100 possible answers to a question, recommends the Litemind website. This gets your brain active as you employ creativity to think of new and unique solutions. When creating your list of 100 solutions, eliminate all distractions and write your list in one sitting. The first 30 entries represent your conscious mind taking power and typical solutions to the question. The next 40 entries begin your journey away from the ordinary and may begin to show a pattern of thought. The last 30 entries represent your subconscious mind taking over and will likely contain a few illogical entries.
