Introduction
Often, the brain is compared to the central processing unit of a computer. However, we fail to understand that it is a vital organ of our body and not a machine. This significant body system needs to be trained like a muscle and not just relaxed and stressed out.
As we age, our brain tends to decline in terms of its memory, learning abilities. Moreover, in this digital world, we are subject to constant distractions in the form of emails, notifications and calls. So, concentration is also a significant concern for most of us.
But as we said earlier, we can train our brain in the same way as we train our muscles and abs. A nootropic will surely help, but right now, we are discussing the exercises. Yes, guys! We have curated special memory-improvement and brain-boosting exercises which will help you to relax, re-ignite and enhance your cognitive functioning.
Benefits of Brain Exercises:
- It promotes vascular health.
- It helps to avoid boredom due to repetitive tasks that we perform daily.
- It helps you to learn new things and concepts.
- Your brain can accept more challenges as you train it regularly.
- You can avoid the risks of mental diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Brain-health & Memory-Improvement Exercises
Following are the interesting brain-health and memory-improvement exercises:
No. #1: Test yourself
Suppose you are going grocery shopping. Skip noting down the list of grocery items to buy on your digital device Instead, memorize the items. You might forget some of these in the grocery store. But it will help you to analyze your memory recall. You can practice the same for weekly shopping routines, and you will be amazed that you do not depend on your mobile phone. Slowly and gradually you will keep improving every week. This is the ultimate key to improving your memory recall!
No. #2: Learn something New
Now, learning is a broad aspect and can help you to fight against brain aging and decline. It has been proven in a few scientific studies that learning new things for an extended period can help you combat against ageing. Following is a list of the things you can learn:
- Learn to cook a new recipe that you or your partner like.
- Learn a foreign language so that you can travel in the next summer without relying on any interpreter.
- Learn to play a musical instrument. It is also soul-soothing.
- Learn a new sport or an indoor or outdoor game. Sports are not only good for the body but also for your mind. Indoor sports can help you socialize with your family members and friends in the most entertaining manner.
- Learn a new hobby or an art or craft. You will love this thing if you are an art lover. Try to learn watercolor painting or embossing in your free time.
No. #3: Recollect Phone Numbers
Gone are the days when we remembered phone numbers of our near and dear ones. Why not practice this old tradition? It might sound amusing to some of you, but it will help you to train your brain. Start with memorizing the number of your favorite person in the world; it could be your Mom or your partner.
No. #4: Grab the Newspaper for Early Morning Exercises
The daily newspaper can also offer you with several brain gym exercises such as crosswords, puzzles, riddles, Sudoku. You can even check the kids’ section for some amazing games. It will be fun and also an excellent brain exercise.
No. #5: Try Drawing Mind Maps or Area Maps
If you want to try something more robust, then draw a map of your locality as if you are guiding someone on how to reach your home or workplace. If you are going to do simple stuff, then draw mind maps about your work, project or a person you admire. Branch out the qualities of that person. You can even draw a family tree.
No. #6: Discover a New Route to your Home
Your home must be pretty accessible through one or more routes. Experiment one day and try to discover a traffic-free, easy-peasy route to your home. This also avoids the usual boredom in life.
No. #7: Listen to something Interesting while you are at Work
Mundane tasks such as cleaning and cooking can be frustrating for some of us. Why not make it enjoyable by listening to an audiobook? You will not only listen to a good story or a valuable podcast, and your tedious job will be done. As you engage more senses in this particular activity, you can remember more things.
No. #8: Do a specific task with Closed Eyes
Have you tried it anytime? You must have seen in some action movies though as to how the main actor closes his eyes and serves tea. However, confirm that you do not get involved in any dangerous task with closed eyes. Try doing simple tasks like washing, or doing the laundry.
No. #9: Use chopsticks to Eat Noodles
A fork is a nice way of relishing on delicious noodles, but you can try using a chopstick next time. Your brain will be forced to the eating process while using chopsticks. Also, next time you can impress someone with your chopstick skills!
No. #10: Interact with New People
It is common to socialize with the same group of friends and family members. Nothing wrong with that. However, you need to talk to new people, understand their lives, and learn new ideas and share opinions and beliefs. This will not only broaden your thinking horizon but will also enhance your mind to accept new people and cultures.
No. #11: Relish on your Meal Consciously
Due to busy lifestyles, we tend to eat too quickly without noticing the flavors, ingredients and aromas of the meal in front of us. But you can challenge yourself by enjoying the aroma and flavors and also, figuring out the ingredients added in it. You can even play it as a game.
No. #12: Perform Calculations in your Brain
How often do you jump to using a calculator or your mobile for simple calculations? Yes, we know it is a world full of technology, but your brain is still working in a fantastic way! Let it work on simple math problems and enhance its abilities!
No. #13: Meditate Regularly
Does meditation relax your brain muscles? Well, it is not always relaxing, it is also a training regime to let your brain be quiet for some time! Meditation reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood, and also let you focus on essential tasks better.
If you are new to meditation, then you can try free, guided meditations or simple apps. It will surely help you.
No. #14: Narrate Stories
This does not mean you have to narrate fairy tales to kids or novel stories to grown-ups. You can even describe the real-life incidents happening around you to your colleagues or friends. As you recollect important details while telling a story, it is good for your memory recall.
No. #15: Create Acronyms or Mnemonic Phrases
If you are a student and you find it hard to remember a lot of things and points, then use acronyms and mnemonics for recollecting purpose. You will love the process of creating them.
No. #16: Remember the Context
When you want to recall any particular person or thing, you can also notice the background such as the surroundings, music, time, day of the week and so on. For instance, when you met an old friend and he told you about the company in which he is working. You can recollect where you met him, what he was wearing, his hairstyle or any special trait.
No. #17: Earn a Good Night’s Sleep
Relaxing, meditating, exercising are good ways to train your brain, but you should also know to seek sufficient amounts of sleep at night. When you sleep better, your memory improves, and you can learn and focus better. This is because the brain cells get energized and rejuvenated in the short span.
No. #18: Try Brain Gym Exercises
Brain gym is a new trend of exercises that are done to become smarter and sharper. These are natural body movements and are simple. It can be done by everyone, including kids and adults. Some of the popular brain gym exercises are as follows:
- Neck rolls – Do it gradually in between the work breaks.
- Belly breathing – Observe your belly as it expands and relaxes when you breathe deeply.
- Positive points – These are located between the eyebrows and the hairline. You can press them with your fingertips gently.
- Brain buttons – Have you noticed the hollow areas near your collarbone? Well, rubbing these brain buttons for at least 30 seconds can make you feel relaxed.
- The Energy Yawn – You yawn calmly and gently and visualize that you are relieving from the stress levels.
No. #19: Take Mindful, Relaxing Breaks
When we are at school or work, we take timely breaks. But these are mostly wasted in checking emails, or messages on mobiles and social media, or watching a video. Instead, get up from your place, take a walk till the water filer or use the washroom. You can even chat with a colleague or friend but not using your mobile phone. It also calms your brain and diverts it from the screens. It is also suitable for your eyesight.
No. #20: Visualize
You can do visualizing exercises for the things you want to buy or even the dream life you wish to live. It creates immense positivity inside your mind and also trains your brain.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, you can train your brain and enhance its health without joining any gym or working out with dumbbells. These simple, cool exercises can provide you with a healthy mind and brain.
References
1. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1029010.pdf – Brain gym benefits
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110 – Brain exercises and brain health.
3. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2017/03/28/science-of-learning-why-do-we-care/ – Why learning is essential for the brain?
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