EXERCISES TO REJUVENATE YOUR BRAIN
Our brain is the powerhouse of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of bodily movement, controller of behaviour, and the seat of consciousness. It wouldn’t even be an exaggeration to consider it the most critical element of our body. Yet, you might find yourself scrambling to recall where an item was last placed or why you walked into a room in the first place, which then begs the question: if the brain is so powerful, why does it betray us from time to time?
Luckily, you can do something about it. Did you know that regularly training your brain is the key to maintaining cerebral plasticity and improving cognitive functioning, thus helping you remain as sharp as a tack? Trust us, its research-backed and scientifically proven!
Here are a few exercises which can help you kickstart your journey towards a healthier, stronger brain:
Put the pieces together
The solution to your brain worries might just be a puzzle away!
Solving jigsaw puzzles or riddles of sorts is an effective tool to hone your visuospatial abilities and keep your mind as fit as a fiddle. By simply identifying where a piece fits within the larger image, your brain can get the challenge, mental stimulation, and room for improvement it needs to become stronger.
Dance your worries away
Try your hand at Salsa, learn a new dance routine, or simply move to the beat of your favourite songs to help improve your brain’s ability to process information and encourage better recall. Plus, you acquire a new skill in the process, making this a win-win situation for your body, mind, and soul. Pretty neat, right?
Connect with your inner self
Rinpoche considered meditation as ‘bringing the mind home’; research-based studies may second this.
Regularly engaging in meditation and mindfulness exercises can help improve your brain’s ability to concentrate, maintain composure, and process information effectively. So, take some time out of your day to reflect and meditate, and start your battle against brain ageing.
Connect with those around you
A surefire way to minimising the risk of cognitive decline involves active communication and engagement with your friends, family members, coworkers, strangers – in a nutshell, anyone and everyone you find. By recalling the interaction, including the conversation, at the end of the day might just be the solution for the extravert you!
If this isn’t your cup of tea, worry not; we have something in store for you.
Evaluate your surroundings
If you’re a lone ranger and prefer your own company (or that of a few), fret not! Simply observe and mentally note down four things about the person – any person – in front of you. Then, test your ability to best recall your observations at the end of the day.
Sure, physically interacting with someone is a better way to go about it, but you can still benefit from the experience while staying in your shell!
The journey doesn’t end here. The Internet is a treasure trove for exercises and tips to keep your brain in top shape. Find more exercises to beef up your cognition or reach out to a general or mental health practitioner for more pearls of wisdom.
So, give yourself some food for thought, get your cognitive juices rolling, and let a healthier, stronger brain do its magic.