Exercise Your Brain

Sharpen Your Intellect

We all know that regular daily exercise is a great way to take care of ourselves. We may choose to utilize exercise equipment, such as a Treadmill, Recumbent Bike or maybe the Total Gym. We could go for a walk, jog or ride a bike. Our reward is a healthier, stronger, more physically fit body. And that is a great accomplishment! Just like our body, our brain needs to exercise also.

I have had little lapses in memory from time to time and I think it would be safe to say you have also. Things like not remembering a familiar PIN for your bank account that you always use, forgetting someone’s name or missing an appointment, just to name a few. Most of the time it’s due to a lot going on in your brain. You have so much on your mind that you’re stressed out. Or maybe you didn’t concentrate enough on what it was you were supposed to remember.

Research shows that brainpower can increase with mental activities in seniors. Aging does not mean automatically losing mental capacity. The National Institute of Aging has conducted a series of tests that prove most dramatic memory loss occurs around age 70, if it occurs at all. Even though memory may fade with time, thinking ability remains strong. Vocabulary and reasoning skills often improve with age.

We’ve all heard the phrase,“use it or lose it.” Well, no matter what your age, exercising your brain may make the difference between using it or losing it. Our brain needs exercise. You can help yourself or your senior family members or friends who seem to be losing memory by encouraging to exercise regular brain activity.

 Get The Rubik's Cube.

Activities such as doing crossword puzzles, playing word games, cards or (solving the Rubik’s Cube) strengthens the synapses between brain cells in memory transmission areas. Physical exercise can also increase mental abilities 20 to 30  percent according to recent studies. Journal writing and working with your hands to build or create something can help as well.

Seniors who sense memory loss occurring can use mental helps such as calendars, calculators, list making, and group discussions. And relax already. Worrying about what you’re going to forget will only cause more of a mental block.