The Important Of Training Your Brain

This may sound like a strange question, but when was the last time you gave your brain a spring cleaning?

You’re probably reading this right now thinking what is this person talking about? And like many others, you’re thinking I’m insane. But, the thing is that we put immense pressure on our brains. Not only does it control our whole body, but we also feed it so much information daily whether just from our mundane tasks, what we read on social media this morning, random bits of knowledge, or overthinking.

The brain is an amazing muscle, and for the rest of the muscles in our body we stretch to alleviate tension and pressure, and we go for massages to minimize pain. So, why do we not exercise our brains in the same way? Obviously, we cannot take our brain out of our skull and whoever tries that, don’t.

How often do you engage in brain training on average? A study shows that out of 44,780 people, only 2,833 actively train their brain and that training with brain games can improve the memory of people with mild cognitive impairments, including those showing the first signs of dementia. According to the latest findings in Neuroscience, your brain reaches its peak performance at 16-25 years, and thereafter cognitive functioning declines.

Perhaps we mistakenly believe that a little amount of reading or studying here and there will suffice. Still, studies have shown that variety in our mental activity is essential for long-term success.

Regular physical activity is one approach to enhance cognitive processes like memory recall, problem-solving, concentration, and attention to detail, according to research. It remains unclear, though, whether the physical component alone strengthens your brain or if a variety of other elements, such as the activity's mental complexity, how frequently you engage in it, and your desire to do better, also play a role.

A brain training exercise does not always involve physical activities. According to a large body of research, cognitive performance can be enhanced by engaging in creative activities including language acquisition, playing an instrument, writing creatively or autobiographically, and painting and other kinds of art. An analysis of 31 studies published in Gerontologist in 2014 that examined how these particular activities influenced older individuals' mental abilities revealed that all of them enhanced several memory functions, including recalling instructions and processing speed.

So, what can we do to keep our brains youthful and well-functioning?

Here are 7 simple methods to keep on top of your brain game:

1) Practice meditation. You can begin practising meditation right now by just closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing. This is the simplest kind of meditation. Bring your focus back to your breath as your thoughts stray. This meditation will help you unwind, clear your head, and become better prepared for any mental task in just five to ten minutes. This can be especially important after a particularly challenging workday or if you have problems unwinding on your days off.

2) Exercise frequently. Regular exercise helps to improve neurogenesis and raise brain function (the growth and development of nervous tissue). This implies that each time you exercise, you're creating new brain cells and concentrating your body and mind on a particularly taxing endeavor (ideally). Get up off the couch and get moving! The brain will be grateful to you for it!

3) Write. Writing is a tool for organizing your thoughts, communicating with your memory what's essential, and improving your ability to recall information in the future. Additionally, it allows you to use your creative and analytical skills. You can sharpen your mind using idea journals, diaries, note-taking, poetry, and story writing. It's not necessary to win the Pulitzer Prize to benefit from reading; even reading something no one else will ever read can help the brain grow and develop.

4) Enjoy some Mozart music. In a University of California study, researchers found that children who participated in daily chorus practice and piano lessons performed significantly better on spatial intelligence tests and were far better at solving puzzles. 36 children participated in a second study that included three spatial reasoning IQ tests. They listened to a Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes prior to the first exam. They listened to a relaxation tape before the second test. Before the third, they didn't listen to anything. The 36 pupils' median scores were as follows: First test: 119. Second test: 111. Exam #3: 110. That is a rise of nine points from Mozart!

5) Laugh. The endorphins released by laughing will lower stress levels, which is beneficial for the long-term health of the brain. Additionally, laughter typically makes you more receptive to fresh ideas and concepts.

6) A balanced diet. Our diets have a significant impact on how well our brains work. Because the brain uses more than 20% of the oxygen and nutrients we take in, it's important to remember to provide it with healthy food. (that is, an abundance of Omega 3 oils found in oily fish and fresh produce in general).

7) Get a lot of rest. Your brain goes through a mini-detoxification as you sleep. The body regenerates cells during this time, and it also flushes out all of the poisons that have accumulated over the day. In order to get the most out of your sleep, go to bed between the hours of 9:00 pm and 12:00 am.

Whatever new activity you choose, make sure it adheres to these three rules to maximize your brain training:

Challenging. Your brain needs to be constantly pushed if you want it to develop. This is why deciding to try a new hobby is so advantageous. It gives you the possibility to grow and engages your brain to learn something new.

Complexity. In addition to igniting your sense of excitement, a complicated activity pushes your brain to focus on particular cognitive functions like problem-solving and creative thinking. According to a 2013 study published in Psychological Science, older persons between the ages of 60 and 90 who engaged in novel and difficult activities for an average of 16 hours per week for three months outperformed those who engaged in more conventional pursuits like reading and crossword puzzles.

Practice. The saying "practice makes perfect" also applies to brain function. If you don't put in the effort, your memory won't become better.? The more time you spend using your brain, the better off it is. Your activity should involve some level of ongoing practice, but attaining significant progress is not the objective.