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Brain ExercisesIs it possible to keep our brains young? Do brain exercises really help? There are a variety of things that you can do to improve memory and keep your brain functioning well. Add some of these to your antiaging program. Go for a Walk Did you ever go for a walk to clear your head? There might be some wisdom in that. Walking increases blood circulation and that means that more oxygen is reaching your brain. Studies have shown that walking improved the learning ability, concentration and abstract reasoning in the elderly. There was also an improvement in memory. In addition to walking, other cardio exercises are also effective. Reduce Stress In addition to keeping you looking younger, reducing your stress can help your brain function better. Make sure that you take time to relax. Why not turn off the TV and take a walk. It reduces stress, gives you exercise and helps your memory. Stimulate your Mind
There are three things you should look for when trying to stimulate your mind; novelty, variety and constant challenge. The brain is made up of different parts and different activities will stimulate different areas. Doing crossword puzzles or sudoku are great but if that's all you do the benefits may be limited. Here are some ideas to stimulate your mind.➣ Learn new vocabulary words. When you come across a new word, look up the meaning and try to use it several times that day. I always loved Reader's Digest's Word Power Game. When I don't know a word - I try to learn it.
➣ Quit using your calculator at the grocery store. I found that I was forgetting simple addition. I started writing down the prices and adding and now just add in my head (I round off to keep it simpler). My husband always figures the tax in his head. ➣ Memorize stuff. Memorize your most used credit card number along with the expiration date. Then, work on memorizing other numbers. My husband has his driver's license number memorized. As they get older, many people say that they can't memorize but that's not true. It may take longer, but it can be done. ➣ Play Bingo. Don't laugh - a cognitive psychologist found that bingo helps minimize memory loss and improve hand-eye coordination. 
➣Try to remember new things. As you meet new people, try to remember their names. Use word association to help you remember. As you read the paper or magazines, an hour or so later try to remember what you read.➣ Do something common in a new way. Are you right handed? Try brushing your hair or teeth with your left hand. Turn the pictures on your desk upside down. These types of activities force your brain to adjust to the newness. ➣ Try a computer -based brain exercise program. There are several of these on the market such as MindFit and Brain Fitness. Both of these have had good results. There are other computer based games that you can play online, but at present there are no online games specifically designed as brain exercise. Good Nutrition You knew that was coming, didn't you. Good nutrition is the basis for a healthy body, including the mind. You may have heard that you should eat fish for brain food. There is some truth to that. The omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish have been shown to benefit the mind. Tuna, mackerel and salmon are a few of these brain beneficial fish. An antiaging program should target not just your body, but also your mind. So to keep your mind sharp and your brain healthy, eat right, exercise, reduce your stress and stimulate your mind. There are lots of things that can be classified as brain exercises, so get out there and learn something new!
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➣ Play a challenging game like Chess or Go. If you are really up for a challenge try a mental game. My brother and I used to play 3 dimensional tic-tac-toe in our heads. That stimulates the mind. (You may need someone to keep track in case you forget where you have placed your markers. It saved us from arguing.)
