Brain strength is related to age, genetics, experience and disease. As you age, brain cell connections weaken and may lead to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's. Although studies have shown that genetics and education are both linked to the susceptibility of such age-related disorders, it is possible to reduce your risk of mental decline by strengthening your brain. Puzzles are a type of mental exercise that you can use to increase your brain strength.
Physiology
Your brain is a complex organ made of a network of connected neurons. The neurons continue to form and reorganize themselves as you learn and are exposed to new stimulus throughout life. Studies show that the act of learning stimulates a section of your brain called the cerebral cortex and strengthens the connections between your brain's neurons. Stimulating your brain is also thought to help build new brain cells.
Sections
Your brain has specialized sections that are used to store and process different types of information. Your cerebrum controls memory, thoughts, problem-solving and movement. It is divided further into specialized sections, with the area used for problem solving located at the front. Language is stored in your brain's left and right temporal lobes. If you are left-handed, your brain uses both lobes to store language, but if you are right-handed, most of your language is stored in the left lobe. Word association puzzles can be used to strengthen the connections within your temporal lobes.
Variety
To strengthen different sections and functions of your brain with puzzles, you need to vary the subject matter and puzzle-solving process used. This can be done by rotating between different types of puzzles, such as shape and color puzzles to sharpen concentration and memory, word puzzles to develop language skills and crossword puzzles to strengthen your ability to solve problems.
Challenge
To strengthen your brain, you need to challenge it. This means doing new puzzles that you have not solved before and advancing the skill level as you progress. The sense of accomplishment and enjoyment that you achieve through solving challenging puzzles is an important part of the brain-strengthening process. For this reason, you should try to find puzzles that you enjoy solving.
Sources
Books, newspapers, the Internet and game stores are all great places to find puzzles. Most newspapers publish crossword and Sudoku puzzles daily, while hundreds of websites offer free puzzles and brain teasers. Check your local library to see if they carry books on brain-strengthening exercises and puzzles. Using different sources to find brain strengthening puzzles will help vary the type and skill level of puzzles that you do.
