3 Simple and Fun Ways to Exercise the Brain
By Genevieve Cunningham
When most of us think about exercise, we think about physical health. We think about stretching and strengthening muscles. We think about running or lifting weights. But exercise applies to every single part of the body -- even the brain! Exercising the brain is important for maintaining strong cognitive abilities as we age. If you need some ideas for strengthening your brain, take a look at these fun ways to get the job done.
Get Some Puzzles
Whether they are literal puzzles that you put together piece by piece or they’re more like riddles, puzzles are a great way to keep the mind sharp. Puzzles require critical thinking as well as problem solving skills. When you engage the brain in a puzzle, you force it to work a bit harder than usual, thus strengthening these skills. Buy some puzzles to keep at your house or regularly read riddles on the internet to exercise the brain in an easy way.
Engage in a Hobby
One of the best ways to exercise the brain is to learn something new. Why not pick up a new hobby? Something like learning a language, playing an instrument, or perfecting a skill are all great ways to engage the brain and strengthen its cognitive abilities. Just find something you’ve been interested in for a long time, join a class or find some instructions, and throw yourself into it full force.
Read
Reading is an excellent way to keep the brain healthy. While we often do this when we're young, we sometimes forget about it as we get older. Whether you grab a fiction story or learn about something in a non-fiction book, a little extra reading can go a long way. If you don’t already read, try adding in just a few pages before bedtime. While it might take some getting used to, with some patience and dedication, you can make reading a habit that strengthens the brain and keeps you mentally well and fresh.
The brain often gets forgotten when it comes to exercise. But in truth, the brain is one of the most important areas that we should work out on a regular basis. Use these ideas to get your brain moving in a healthier direction and to keep your cognitive abilities strong for a lifetime of health and happiness.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Denver, Colo.