Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of memory loss and mental deterioration. Research has shown that people who continuously exercise their mind through various mental activities can help to prevent memory loss and decline as they age by regenerating new neurons in the brain. A great portion of our brain remains underutilized throughout the lifespan, which means there are a lot of inactive brain connections just waiting to be nurtured and developed. Our mental faculties need exercise if they are to remain useful. Activating underused nerve pathways and brain connections can be an enjoyable exercise!
The following tips demonstrate easy ways to keep the brain active:
•Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet. The functioning of the mind is related to overall physical health.
• When someone calls on the telephone, try to guess who it is before they identify themselves.
• When doing an everyday task, involve more than one of your senses: for ex., buttoning your shirt with your eyes closed, showering with your eyes closed
• Reading, doing crossword puzzles/Sudoku, or playing yahtzee, scrabble, or chess are all mentally stimulating. Playing bingo has been found to improve both memory and hand eye coordination in the elderly
• Learning a new hobby or a new language will also exercise your brain.
• Mix things up: take a new route to church, brush your teeth with your opposite hand, shop at a new grocery
• Join a club or organization where you can interact with other people. Discussions activate the mind.
• Work jigsaw puzzles. Then try to rework them in a faster period of time.
• Try to work simple riddle books, word games, or children’s math books to challenge the brain
• Read a lot. This exercises the mind much more than watching tv. After you’ve finished a chapter in a book, write a one or two word sentence about it. Be sure to try new types of books, such as biographies, poetry, or travel
• Wake up nerve pathways in the morning: Before getting up from the bed, start moving your toes…flex them, extend them, stretch them and wriggle them. Slowly rub and massage your toes up the other feet, then do the same with your fingers. Besides stimulating the brain, it will also make you feel cool, refreshed, and energetic.
Practicing mental exercises every day is so important. With a little effort you will find ways to add many similar challenges to your daily routine. If you keep your brain busy, it will not let you down!
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