Brain Training: Could it be a Way to Keep Your Brain Young?

Your brain is not a muscle, but when it comes to exercise, you should certainly think about it as if it was one. People focus on the wellness and wellbeing of their bodies all the time, but rarely stop to consider the fitness of their brains. Few people actually realise that brain fitness is something that you can work on and continually improve. You can (and should!) exercise your brain every day, and the results can be hugely rewarding and empowering.

 

In order to get into the right mindset, so to speak, it is useful to think about your brain in the same way that you would think about a muscle. If you are working on a physical muscle, you can’t simply do the same exercises over and over again, because they soon cease to challenge your body. You have to keep varying the exercises and making it more of a challenge for your body. In the same way, you can’t simply repeat the same brain exercises over and over again otherwise your brain will become used to tackling them and they will not force the brain to form new neural pathways. You need to master the easy exercises and then push your brain on to the next level.

 

Your brain has an innate neuroplasticity, which means it has an ability to grow and change in order to respond to new challenges. This is where brain training comes into play. Studies on neuroplasticity show that the brain continues to grow and change during adulthood and that it needs guidance and challenge in order to ensure that new neural pathways are formed and the brain continues to thrive.

 

Studies have been carried out recently at Stanford University, which showed that just 12 weeks of brain training could lead to improved processing speed, increased mental flexibility and improved ability to perform working memory tasks.

Categories: Brain, brain continues, Brain Training, challenge, exercises, health, neural pathways, order, training

How to Improve Your Mental Wellness in Four Fun Steps

You may give a lot of attention to your physical wellness, but what about your mind? Sure, a healthy body is important for preventing health conditions, weight gain and premature ageing, but so is a healthy mind! So, how can you improve your mental wellness?

 

• Take things one step at a time.

When you’re stressed out, you may start trying to do too many things at once, as multitasking seems a more efficient way to solve multiple problems. However, multitasking tends to create more problems than it solves, as focusing on one task at a time helps you to see the bigger picture, concentrate and actually be more productive.

 

• Be a Positive Influence…on Yourself

It’s common sense that saying nice things about yourself will help you to believe those things and, in turn, feel better, but there’s science to back this up; affirmation strengthens your neural pathways, which improves your self-confidence, wellbeing, and satisfaction. Why not make a list of your good qualities, and keep it tucked in your bag so you can read it when you feel low? At the top of the list, in big, bold letters, write “You don’t have to be perfect.” If there are things about yourself you truly don’t like, don’t wallow in it; be constructive. Set small goals for things you’re going to work on, and reward yourself when you get it right.

 

• Change things up

There’s nothing like a new experience to set you on the path to mental fitness. According to the Franklin Institute, breaking out of your routine can help keep your brain young and healthy, as it helps you to see the world in a new way and strengthen your neural pathways. So, find a new place to explore, a new way of doing an old task or even a new restaurant to try.

 

• Find a fun, nerdy hobby

Doing fun things that also use logic, reasoning or trivia is a great way build up your brain muscle. Try crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or even pub quizzes if you want something a little more social. Reading is an excellent hobby for your brain, as every word you read (including these ones) forces your brain to process and recall meanings instantly. Plus, reading engages your imagination, encouraging you to picture the scene or hear what the voices sound like (If you don’t believe me, read a Morgan Freeman quote, or any line from Forrest Gump).

Categories: Brain, Fun, Healthy, Mental Wellness, nbsp, neural pathways, positive, read, Wellness