Use It or Lose It
The brain is a complex organ that functions as the command center for the body’s nervous system. It enables thoughts and memories, dictates movement, and is responsible for emotions. Maintaining a healthy brain is essential to living a full and healthy life.
The brain is like a muscle, the more we use it, the stronger it gets. Unfortunately, like your bicep when you don’t keep up on your workout routine, it will get weaker the less you use it. This is why working out your brain is just as important as working out your body. In order to keep your brain strong and functioning at peak capacity you must challenge it daily and keep up with your “workout routine.” Not only will this help keep your brain healthy in general, but the exercises could also lessen the effects of more serious cognitive conditions, including different forms of dementia and Alzheimer’s. You may even end up enjoying some of these “exercises” more than you think!
There are many ways to strengthen your brain, and some may be activities you already do that you would have never realized.
Board and Card Games
Board and card games are an easy and simple way to integrate some of these “brain exercises.” In fact, this is such a fun option that the whole family will want to join in—they won’t even realize they are doing work. Board and card games are a great option because not only do they give memory-affected people a chance to try some new games, but they also allow room for memorization, concentration, and the application of rules. When picking out a game to play, one that involves strategy and a certain level of critical thinking will end up being the most effective. Some great options are cribbage, Monopoly, mancala, and Clue, but the list could go on and on.
Puzzle Games
Crosswords, sudoku, and other puzzles are all great ways to engage critical thinking and improve brain strength. All of these use the cerebral cortex and hippocampus to solve these puzzles. They improve memory, vocabulary, and overall cognitive function. A recent study in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry showed some promising effects of games that challenge the mind. These types of puzzles come in various levels of difficulty from easy to extremely hard. Take into consideration the current ability of your loved one before purchasing puzzle books so as not to unduly upset them in case the level is too difficult. Most puzzle books will also come in large print if eyesight is an issue. These simple activities can easily be included in your daily routine by completing them every morning while enjoying your coffee or tea.
Try Something New and Set Goals
Another way to stimulate the brain is by learning something new. This is a great option as it gives you the opportunity to not only try something out of your comfort zone but also strengthen your brain. Commit to trying something new and setting goals within that to challenge yourself. Trying something new, like learning a new word per day, can increase your skill-set and challenge your previous skills—who knows, you may even gain a new hobby.
Get Moving
Physical activity is a crucial part of improving brain health. Upon the multitude of reasons that exercise is important for your overall health, there are some lesser-known benefits regarding brain health. Physical activity will increase overall blood flow to the brain as well as reduce stress hormones and release endorphins which are crucial to maintain a healthy brain. Another reason physical activity is important is because of the critical thinking that goes into it. Strategy sports such as golf, tennis, and pickleball all require the same application of rules and concentration that board games require. Activities that are low impact, such as chair exercises and stretching, or any preferred activity is a better option than none at all. These are great options to include in your life as you are getting both your physical and mental workout in!
Incorporate Brain-Healthy Foods into Your Diet
Foods such as walnuts, eggs, and leafy greens all have positive effects on brain health. These foods have a variety of different nutrients, including omega 3 fatty acids and choline, both of which support brain health. These all assist the brain in its daily function by supporting blood flow and growth of brain tissue. For more information and recipes with brain healthy ingredients read this article about the benefits of incorporating these foods into your diet.
Learn how Terra Bluffs integrates brain health care and nutritious meals by visiting us – we’d love to meet you!