The key to optimal brain health and function is to exercise the brain as you would any other part of the body for health and wellness. According to the Franklin Institute, the brain will grow through mental stimulation. Such stimulation and activity may help prevent brain function decline. Brain exercises help create new neurons and pathways in the brain that help increase memory, reasoning and thinking skills and help prevent loss of motor skills because of lack of exercise or activity. Learn a few simple brain exercises that you can do every day to keep your brain fit, healthy and happy.
Brain Challenges
Challenge the brain to learn new ways of doing things, suggests the Franklin Institute. For example, if you're right-handed, try brushing your teeth or combing your hair with your left hand. This stimulates and momentarily confuses the brain, encouraging it to adapt to new demands. This type of exercise also helps the brain strengthen neural connections and may even create new connections.
Physical Exercise
Get your daily dose of physical exercise to help increase your brain's functioning capabilities, suggests Charles Hillman, kinesiology and community health professor at the University of Illinois, as reported in Science Daily. He performed a study that determined that older adults who exercised regularly showed improved brain function and could benefit by preventing cognitive decline. Try to exercise between 30 and 45 minutes a day, even if you're just walking around your block. The physical exercise will benefit your overall health and wellness. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation suggests exercising 30 minutes a day four days a week to help keep motor pathways open and help improve stability and gait.
Memory Enhancement
Play games or engage in activities every day to help increase your brain function and memory. Learn a new song, or learn to play a new game. If you're up to the challenge, learn a new language or a new hobby. Such stimulation is known to boost levels of acetylcholine in the brain, a vital chemical used to create new cell growth and development, according to neuropsychologist Dr. Bernard Croisile, writing for AskMen.com.
Cognitive Function Exercise
Dr. Croisile offers a suggestion for improving visual and spatial skills and recognition. Try walking into a room, quickly pick out five objects and then leave the room. Write down or verbally recall the five items you picked out and where they were located in the room. Practice your recall in a variety of environments and situations for a good mental exercise to increase your cognitive functions.
