Your frontal lobe consists of two areas, the right and left lobes. The left lobe is responsible for language, and the right lobe is responsible for visual processing. Visual analysis and language account for the two main processing skills performed by the frontal lobe. Overall, your frontal lobe plays a key role in planning, sequencing, organizing, visualizing and conceptualizing. Frontal lobe strengthening exercises can help people function better, especially after a brain injury. Consult with your doctor first, since not all exercises may work for your individual condition.
Use a Day Planner
Frontal lobe strengthening exercises need to concentrate on improving organizational skills in order to reduce frustration, improve time management skills and provide a sense of accomplishment throughout the day. Individuals with a frontal lobe injury can be overwhelmed by all that needs to be done and may not know how to properly organize and prioritize, according to clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Glenn Johnson. Writing things down can help, so turn a day planner into an exercise tool. Set aside 15 minutes at the end of the day, when you are relaxed and free of distractions, and write down five tasks you want to perform the next day. As the next day begins and you accomplish a task, cross it off the list. Crossing out tasks gives a sense of accomplishment and can increase self-confidence.
Use Numbers
Your frontal lobe plays a crucial role in processing visual information and then analyzing it, Johnson says. Work on strengthening your frontal lobe by using numbers to increase your attention span. You can play a brain game that includes five rows of numbers, 10 numbers across. Sit upright in a firm chair and place the numerical table in front of you. Start the exercise by scanning for the number 1. Add up how many 1s the table contains, and write down this total. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise looking for the number 2. Increase the difficulty by adding two numbers at a time, such as 2 and 3.
Perform Physical Activity
Physical inactivity plays a negative role in everyone's health, including those recuperating from an injury to the frontal lobe, according to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. Physical activity helps lower emotional and cognitive symptoms and complaints including disorganization, memory concerns, sleep problems and irritability. Start engaging in enjoyable physical activity that increases your heart rate for an extended period of time as part of your frontal lobe exercise regime to decrease depression, improve overall mental outlook and enhance self-confidence. Walk at a moderately brisk rate for 30 minutes on five or more days weekly. Alternating activities helps reduce boredom and increases your chances of sticking to your routine. Walk on one day, bicycle on the next and swim with a friend on the third day.
Plan Meals
Meal planning takes a lot of work, and even individuals with healthy brains can find it troublesome or frustrating. Brain exercises can focus on improving meal planning skills while enhancing your organizational and concentration skills, according to Johnson. Start by setting aside a Saturday evening when you can sit quietly and concentrate. Plan the next week's meals by choosing a main meal for each day and listing them on a calendar. After you have written down main meals for seven days, go back and add side dishes for each day. Make a list of individual ingredients for each meal. Do not rush.
