Brain Exercise
Brain exercise is as important as body exercise. By exercising the brain, new nerves are formed that can protect against symptoms of dementia or senility. There are some ways for brain exercise.
Here are 10 ways to train or exercise brain:
1. Play a puzzle or a crossword puzzle
Crosswords, puzzles, Sudoku and other types of puzzles, can train the left brain in particular, according to the LearningRx cognitive training center. Add new strategies to streamline brain exercises, such as solving a crossword puzzle with unusual themes.
2. Play a strategy game
Strategy games like chess, monopoly or other computer games, will use the right brain that can help people to think more creatively.
3. Change the routine
According to Lawrence Katz, professor of Neurobiology at Duke University Medical Center, changing routines and new ways of life can activate previously inactive brain connections. Exercises that can be done for example, shower with eyes closed or rearrange the office or desk.
4. Reading
Reading can flex the muscles of the brain, either light reading (such as comics or magazines) as well as readings for information. And according to the study of Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas in 2001, reading can help build a 'cognitive reserve' to delay the onset of dementia.
5. Familiarize active to be left-handed (active left hand) and also right
Perform tasks with non-dominant hands, if usually dominant right hand then use left hand (lefty) and vice versa. For example when using a computer mouse, brushing your teeth and tying shoes in opposite directions. According to the Franklin Institute, this type of exercise can strengthen existing neural connections and even form new nerves.
6. Enjoy the music
In addition to listening to music, learn also to play musical instruments. Experts also recommend to enable two senses at once, such as listening to music and smelling flowers.
7. Physical Exercise
Physical exercise can also improve brain health, because it can increase blood flow to the brain. According to Stanford Center on Longevity and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, physical exercise can increase attention, reasoning and memory.
8. Learn a foreign language
By learning a foreign language will activate a part of the brain that has not been used since you started talking. A 2007 study at York University in Toronto, found that the use of multiple languages can increase the blood supply to the brain to maintain healthy nerve connections.
9. Looking for a new hobby
Challenge your brain to learn new skills or things you've never done before. If you are not an artist, try to learn to paint or sculpt. If you can play the piano, learn to play the guitar. Find something new and exciting to keep your brain active.
10. Social life
The brain can be trained by living your social life, for example by visiting friends. A 2006 study by Dr. David Bennett of Rush University Medical Center found that having a social network can provide protection against clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.