The brain begins creating neurons -- the brain cells that communicate with each other -- before birth at a rate of 16 billion per hour. These neurons are designed to help you organize and make sense of your surroundings regardless of culture, language or lifestyle. Countless neuron connections are lost with age and inactivity. Brain-based exercises can rebuild these connections and reopen your potential for learning and self-actualization.
The Neural Network
The neurons in your brain continue to communicate with each other and reorganize your perceptions of the physical world throughout your life. This communication is achieved through fibers that act as antennas between nerves called dendrites. Every time you engage in a new activity or experience, dendrites help your brain cells to grow. By just participating in life, you are already involved in exercising your brain by allowing dendrites to make new connections and share information.
Memory
Brain-based exercises expand the ability of synapses -- space between neurons-- to acquire and store new information. In "Train Your Brain: 60 Days to a Better Brain," Dr. Ryuta Kawashima says that while brain synapses begin deteriorating after the age of 20, brain exercises can rebuild and strengthen these connections. Kawashima recommends daily oral reading, writing and simple calculation exercises to help recreate lost synapse connections. These exercises increase your brain's ability to structure events, a vital component of memory.
The Muscle Connection
The neurons in your brain also communicate with skeletal muscles via the neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholine. These chemicals regulate fine motor movement, memory and attention. According to the Franklin Institute, the brain and muscles are so connected that powerful, long-held emotional memories have been known to be released into consciousness during deep massage. Brain-based exercise helps to keep muscle synapses intact and stable; inactivity breaks down synapses and the neural connections needed to assimilate and perceive information.
Practical Tips
Your brain is most open to learning and implementing knowledge in your preteen years. Fortunately, brain connections can be built or rebuilt at any time in your life. The Franklin Institute says that opening up to new activities such as sculpting, dancing, tai chi, chess and writing with your non-dominant hand are excellent brain exercises that create new brain synapses. Traveling and neurobics -- brain exercises that use the five senses -- are also recommended.
References
- The Franklin Institute: The Human Brain
- "Train Your Brain: 60 Days to a Better Brain"; Dr. Ryuta Kawashima; 2005
