Exercising Our Minds
Activities to strengthen memory processes in the brain
Source: Unsplash (@chelseacgates)
Research has shown that numerous activities can strengthen your brain and help increase your mental fitness and keep your brain healthy for longer. Try out some of these activities listed below to help keep your brain sharp and ready to go!
1. Learning a new skill
Learning a skill is the best way to exercise your mind! Not only is it fun to try something new, but research shows that it helps form new neuronal connections in your brain alongside strengthening previous ones. Additionally, learning a new skill releases dopamine, which is known as the “feel-good” hormone. Dopamine is beneficial as it acts on the brain to provide feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Something as simple as spending 10 minutes a day learning how to juggle is proven to improve memory function during your older ages. For more ideas, here’s a list of new skills you can do from home!
2. Meditation
Daily meditation can help relax your brain and provide you with a sense of serenity. It allows you to practice controlling your attention and directing it to a singular task. Research shows that a simple 5-minute daily meditation session can improve brain function, decision making, emotional response, memory, learning ability, and sensory perception. What’s not to like? Here’s a 5-minute mindfulness meditation to help you get started!
3. Learning a new language
Similar to learning a new skill, practicing a new language has numerous benefits — especially being able to communicate with others in a new language! Being able to speak more than one language is shown to enhance memory, improve your creativity and delay mental decline. Furthermore, it also improves your concentration and communication skills. Learning a new language at any age can strengthen your brain so it’s never too late to start!
4. Puzzles
Spending a relaxed Sunday morning completing that 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle can do more good than you’d think. Research shows that puzzles tap into multiple cognitive abilities such as perception, speed, flexibility, and reasoning. Furthermore, studies have found that puzzles can be a potential protective factor for cognitive aging! Additionally, spending five minutes a day working through a crossword on your device can also prove beneficial.
Numerous articles have proven the positive effects of strengthening your brain; this article only grazes the surface! Taking time to focus on your brain and keeping it well exercised will not only improve your abilities now, but later on in the future as well!