If you make a point of mixing up your routines, your brain will be forced to be active and alert. For any activity to help exercise your brain, it must be both novel and complex. The simple act of switching to a new hand for easy chores allows for both qualities in everyday activity.
The particular musical instrument you choose to learn doesn’t appear to make a difference in intelligence level. Choose an instrument that you enjoy, and one to which you have easy access. Lessons are often a good way to find a local music community that will help support your new hobby.
Frequent dancing was the only physical activity that seemed to offer any protection against the development of dementia in people aged 75 and older. Any activity that involves social interaction can help keep the mind active. Doing activities that use rote memory, no matter how complex, does not require the development of new neural pathways, which improve intelligence.
N-back is a memory test. N refers to a certain number of previous stimuli that must be recalled by the player. For example, in a 1 = n sequence, you have to recall stimuli 1 item back; with a 2 = n sequence, the stimuli must be recalled 2 items back. In dual n-back exercises, two independent sequences are presented simultaneously and usually using two different modalities. For example, a sequence of numbers would be read, while a colored sequence was also present. You can find open-source software for dual n-back software online at brainworkshop. net.
Generating both the narrative and the words used relies on multiple functions of the brain, including fluid intelligence and executive functioning. These word-limit constraints will also give you practice in writing clever social media updates!
One of the most common single-word acronyms people use is ASAP, which stands for as soon as possible, or NASA, which stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Many times acronyms become so well known that the meaning of the acronym becomes a new word itself, such as with SNAFU or Taser.
For example, a simple sentence that helps children remember the order of the 4 directions on the compass might be: Never Eat Soggy Worms. You can see how the first letters of these words (N, E, S, W) align with the first letters of the 4 directions (North, East, South, West) in an easier-to-remember fashion.
In your imagination, place the items you’ll need at the store in a variety of places throughout the house. For example, consciously imagine placing a bunch of bananas on the coffee table, a loaf of bread on the chair nearby, and a bag of coffee on top of the television. Then, at the store, visualize walking through the created image of your home with these items in it. Try adding items, adding rooms, as your ability to remember increases. You can also try this process by placing your mental attention along a familiar walking route, fixing items along with landmarks of your walk.
Start by writing the central idea in the center of a blank, unlined sheet of paper. You can also draw an image if this helps you better focus on your project. Next, draw a line from the central idea to represent each one of the main topics within this idea. Label these topics with your pencil. From these lines, draw smaller lines, or branches, representing even more detailed ideas. Use colored pencils if this helps engage your attention and comprehension. Continue to illustrate with pictures if you prefer.
Most experts recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. This means at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week. Moderate aerobic exercise includes jogging, walking, biking, dance classes, swimming, or any activity which requires regular heavy breathing over a period of time. Walking with a friend is a great way to combine exercise with social interaction, both of which will help reduce cognitive decline. Make sure to check with your healthcare provider before adding physical activity to your daily routine.
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Teens require 8-10 hours of sleep per night, while school-aged children (ages 6-13) require 9-11 hours.
Evidence suggests that meditation can make a person smarter, and more resilient. People who meditate are better able to handle stress, and this helps to block the development of the hormone cortisol, which impedes brain function.
Include plenty of omega-3 essential fatty acids by including deep-water fish, such as salmon. Fish oil supplements might also be tried, at the level recommended by the American Health Association (1 gram daily of EPA and DHA). Blueberries, high in antioxidants, help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may also help guard against age-related dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Try adding an 8-ounce cup of blueberries to your daily diet to improve your brain functioning. [13] X Research source Nuts and seeds are a good source of vitamin E. Consider adding a handful of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or a tablespoon of unhydrogenated nut butter such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini to your daily diet. A Mediterranean diet including foods such as lean meats, nuts, fruits, vegetables and olive oil, can also help to preserve cognition. Try to avoid simple sugars in foods like cakes, candies, sodas and foods with artificial sweeteners.
