How Do 13 Fun Brain Exercises Keep You Sharp at Any Age?
For many older adults, brain exercises to enhance memory, focus, or daily functionality are a significant priority. However, these exercises are beneficial for individuals of all age groups. Here are thirteen brain exercises to keep your mind sharp and active:
Have Fun With A Jigsaw Puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles, whether they depict the Eiffel Tower in 1,000 pieces or Mickey Mouse in 100, offer an excellent brain workout. Studies have illustrated that they engage multiple cognitive faculties. They are particularly effective against cognitive aging, as they challenge you to visualize the bigger picture while assembling individual pieces. [1]
Try Your Hand At Cards
Playing card games can be mentally stimulating. A 2015 study revealed that card games could increase brain volume in several areas. Furthermore, these games enhance memory and cognitive abilities. Some popular card games include solitaire, bridge, gin rummy, poker, hearts, and crazy eights. [2]
Build Your Vocabulary
Expanding your vocabulary can be both impressive and mentally stimulating. Activities linked with vocabulary enhancement engage various brain regions, particularly those crucial for visual and auditory tasks. One useful activity involves jotting down unfamiliar words from reading materials, researching their definitions, and attempting to use them multiple times the following day. [3]
Dance Your Heart Out
Dancing not only invigorates the soul but also boosts the brain. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control have pointed out that new dance routines can elevate your brain's processing speed and memory. Engaging in dance forms like salsa, tap, Zumba, or even ballroom dancing can be immensely beneficial.
Use All Your Senses
A 2015 research emphasized that utilizing all senses can reinforce the brain. Activities like baking cookies, visiting farmer’s markets, or dining at a new restaurant, where all five senses are simultaneously engaged, can be particularly beneficial. [4]
Learn A New Skill
Picking up a new skill is beneficial for the brain. A 2014 study showed its positive effects on memory functions in seniors. Whether it's car repair, mastering software, or horse riding, acquiring a new skill is always beneficial. [5]
Teach A New Skill To Someone Else
Teaching a newly acquired skill to someone else amplifies learning. It compels you to clarify concepts and rectify any mistakes. For instance, after learning to swing a golf club, teaching a friend enhances the learning experience.
Listen To Or Play Music
Music can enhance creative cognition. A 2017 study found that uplifting music boosts innovative thinking. Moreover, learning a new musical instrument benefits the brain and provides an opportunity for lifelong learning. [6]
Take A New Route
Opting for a new path or changing your daily commute mode, like choosing cycling over driving, can be invigorating for the brain. Such minor changes can enhance cognitive flexibility. [7]
Meditate
Meditation offers tranquility and reduces stress. Additionally, studies have revealed its positive effects on memory and information processing. Daily meditation, even if for just five minutes, can be highly beneficial. [8]
Learn A New Language
Multilingualism offers various cognitive advantages. Numerous studies confirm that being bilingual or multilingual enhances memory, visual-spatial skills, and creativity. Moreover, it's a potent tool against age-associated cognitive decline. [9]
Take Up Tai Chi
Tai chi, beyond its physical benefits, offers numerous mental health advantages. It aids in stress reduction, sleep quality improvement, and memory enhancement. Studies have even suggested its potential to increase brain volume. [10]
Focus On Another Person
During interactions, being observant can be a mental exercise. Noting specific details about a person, such as their attire or accessories, and recalling them later can be an effective brain workout.
Conclusion
Prioritizing brain health is crucial for maintaining concentration, focus, memory, and cognitive agility throughout life. While these fun brain exercises are an excellent way to keep your mind agile, it's essential to explore other interventions to support brain function.
NMN supplementation, for instance, has shown promise in enhancing cognitive health. To bolster your cognitive journey and optimize brain function, consider the benefits of HealthspanX's Ultra Pure NMN™. By integrating both exercises and supplementation, you pave the way for a sharper, more resilient mind at any age.
Citations
- Fissler P, Küster OC, Laptinskaya D, Loy LS, von Arnim CAF, Kolassa IT. Jigsaw Puzzling Taps Multiple Cognitive Abilities and Is a Potential Protective Factor for Cognitive Aging. Front Aging Neurosci. 2018;10:299. Published 2018 Oct 1. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2018.00299
- Schultz SA, Larson J, Oh J, et al. Participation in cognitively-stimulating activities is associated with brain structure and cognitive function in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Brain Imaging Behav. 2015;9(4):729-736. doi:10.1007/s11682-014-9329-5
- Cahana-Amitay D, Albert ML. Brain and language: evidence for neural multifunctionality. Behav Neurol. 2014;2014:260381. doi:10.1155/2014/260381
- Quak M, London RE, Talsma D. A multisensory perspective of working memory. Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:197. Published 2015 Apr 21. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00197
- Park DC, Lodi-Smith J, Drew L, et al. The impact of sustained engagement on cognitive function in older adults: the Synapse Project. Psychol Sci. 2014;25(1):103-112. doi:10.1177/0956797613499592
- Ritter, S. M., & Ferguson, S. (2017). Happy creativity: Listening to happy music facilitates divergent thinking. PloS one, 12(9), e0182210. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182210
- Maguire, E. A., Frackowiak, R. S., & Frith, C. D. (1997). Recalling routes around london: activation of the right hippocampus in taxi drivers. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 17(18), 7103–7110. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-18-07103.1997
- Krishnakumar D, Hamblin MR, Lakshmanan S. Meditation and Yoga can Modulate Brain Mechanisms that affect Behavior and Anxiety-A Modern Scientific Perspective. Anc Sci. 2015;2(1):13-19. doi:10.14259/as.v2i1.171
- Marian V, Shook A. The cognitive benefits of being bilingual. Cerebrum. 2012;2012:13.
- Wei GX, Xu T, Fan FM, et al. Can Taichi reshape the brain? A brain morphometry study. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e61038. Published 2013 Apr 9. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061038