The brain plays an important role in everything we do, and like the rest of the body, it needs proper care. Studies have shown that there are many ways to improve mental sharpness and keep the brain healthy at every stage of life.
Certain brain exercises can help improve memory, focus and concentration. They can also make everyday tasks easier while helping keep the brain active and healthy with age. Here are five research-backed exercises that can provide significant benefits for brain health.
1. Have fun with a jigsaw puzzle
Whether you are completing a 1,000-piece puzzle of the Eiffel Tower or a 100-piece Mickey Mouse puzzle, solving jigsaw puzzles is a great way to keep your brain active and healthy.
Research has shown that solving jigsaw puzzles engages multiple cognitive skills and may help protect the brain against age-related decline in visual and spatial abilities.
While solving a puzzle, you study each piece and determine where it fits within the larger picture. This challenges your brain and helps improve thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. Try your hand at cards
A 2023 study found that playing card games can help improve important thinking skills in children facing social challenges. These skills include self-control and the ability to switch between tasks. The research also found that even card games not specifically designed to improve brain function provided mental benefits.
Card games may also help older adults keep their brains active. A 2020 study found that playing modern card games improved thinking skills, including verbal fluency and self-control, in older adults. The findings suggest these games can be an enjoyable and effective way to support brain health with age.
Try learning one of these tried-and-true card games:
-solitaire
-bridge
-gin rummy
-poker
-hearts
-crazy eights
3. Build your vocabulary
Having a strong vocabulary can help you communicate more clearly and sound more knowledgeable. Learning new words can also be a good exercise for your brain.
Research shows that vocabulary activities engage several areas of the brain, especially those responsible for visual and auditory processing. Expanding your vocabulary can help keep your brain active while strengthening your thinking skills.
-Keep a notebook with you when you read.
-Write down one unfamiliar word, then look up the definition.
-Try to use that word five times the next day.
4. Learn a new skill
Learning a new skill is not only enjoyable but can also help keep your brain strong and active. A 2023 study found that older adults who learned several new skills at the same time, such as a new language, drawing and music, improved their memory and thinking abilities.
After just a few weeks, their cognitive performance reached levels similar to those of middle-aged adults. The findings suggest it is never too late to improve brain health by learning new real-world skills.
5. Take a new route
Avoid doing your daily tasks the same way every day. Try changing your routine by taking a different route to work or using another form of transportation, such as riding a bike or taking public transportation instead of driving.
These simple changes can help keep your brain active and flexible. You may also be surprised by how easily trying new things can improve your thinking.
