All of us, in a certain point of our lives, experienced memory loss. It could be forgetting where we put the keys, if we have locked the door, etc. As we grow older, it is natural for some of our brain cells to age and die which would cause some problems with memory. Over the years, research on brain training showed that it could help in decreasing memory loss.
Dementia is one of the biggest health issues that the older generation is facing. Currently, about 24 million people are suffering from dementia. By 2040, the number could reach about 84 million of sufferers, making us one of the possible patients of dementia.
The same goes for Alzheimer’s disease which is affecting about five million Americans. Health experts project that Alzheimer patients could reach about 16 million by 2050. That is until the current generation would do something to avoid such problems with memory loss.
How does brain training help us in enhancing our memory?
Think of the brain as a muscle. When developing muscles, exercise is needed to develop strength and flexibility. The same goes for the brain, different exercises would help sharpen the memory and enhance focus and concentration.
In a brain training program, you would have an idea on the present status of your brain. There are some software for brain games which would help you get an idea how “old” your brain. Understanding your weaknesses would help you build its strength. This software can also be referred to as your brain trainer.
Getting a “brain trainer” could cost you, but there are also other exercises you could engage in which would set your brain into action. Brain games and exercises like solving puzzles, logical-thinking games, card games and board games could help your mind. Just keep in mind that the brain develops when repeating certain skills. So you could stick with one kind of game of problem solving.
According to a research performed by the University of Alabama led by Dr. Karlene Ball, different brain training could help in improving memory. In their research, there were four groups of people. One group was the control, receiving no kind of training. The remaining three groups had different kinds of memory trainings.
According to the research findings, the three groups that received memory training showed improvement in their mental functions. Those who underwent memory training sessions showed development in how they process the information and quicker reasoning.
Those who have not received any training did not exhibit any advancement in their mental activities. Aside from improved memory, there are studies showing brain training also had an effect on the mind’s alertness and ability to remain in a positive mood.
Brain training, however, is not a standard program for everyone. A particular brain training program may work for one person, but may not yield significant effects on the other. This is the reason why brain training would start with knowing your brain and getting an idea what would be suitable for you.
In these studies, brain training did not only lasted for a couple of weeks but stretched until two years. Brain training is a choice. A choice which would be based on understanding the importance of maintaining and developing your mental health.
Brain training, in its most basic, is simply exercising the brain to keep it fit and healthy, with the intention of keeping it that way all throughout our lives.
These days, brain training is just like physical training – necessary for us to do, so that we shall live longer, healthier, in control of our faculties, and happy with our lives.
Benefits
Brain training exercises, like physical exercises that helps improve body functions, help improve the functions of the brain in its problem-solving abilities, spatial recognition and oral capabilities.
You may notice that after some brain workout, your mind can process information much quicker, more efficiently, and your multi-tasking abilities would begin to show.
Studies show that many brain training exercises turn on the frontal lobe of the brain in a stronger way and act as brain booster by reviving the neurons and improving your grey matter creativity.
Common brain training aids
There are so many good brain training exercises as well as brain stretching and fun games to stimulate our minds. The net is awash with many very good games and “brain exercisers”.
In the outside world, there are the newspaper crossword puzzles, the popular Soduko, the old standby Rubik’s Cube, and some clever mental gymnastics of riddles, other puzzles and many other games.
No age limit
The body may show some signs of wear and tear and the fatigue that goes with them. Exercises have to be modified to fit the person’s age doing the physicals. The brain does not have limits.
Brain training and other mental calisthenics is a one-size-fits-all commodity, except perhaps for the very young and the very old. The following are some of the regular and more common forms of brain training activities.
Memory test
Memory tests are always fun, and helpful. Test your memory and while you are doing the games, you shall also stimulate your brain, and grow more neurons.
Some games that are favored by the older adults are those of remembering faces and names and other images.
Spatial intelligence
The Rubik’s Cube is one very challenging game that will not only stimulate your sense of space (what goes where) and foresight (what to move first), it will also force your sense of logic (why should I move this side first?).
And lastly, it will also stimulate your visual memory and reasoning.
IQ booster
Chess is the world’s best strategy game. In IQ booster, there are variations of the chess game that is not only as challenging as the real game, but also quite as fun.
In chess, you shall learn how to make creative strategies and exercise your most ruthless logic in planning your moves and countermoves. (If you do not know how to play chess, this is the right time to learn.)
Sudoku
This is one of the most exciting games that came out in the 21st century. This is not just a math problem-solving ride, it is another “ruthless logic” little game.
All of the above games are all guaranteed to stimulate all your mental powers, creativity, and reasoning. Doing any and all these games shall constitute your brain training for the day. Also, they all can be played by anybody from the very youngest to the very oldest.
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