How to Exercise the Brain
Brain exercise is just as important as exercise for the body. Exercising the brain keeps one sharp and focused. It can help one have a better memory, improve one's IQ, improve concentration and increase overall brain function.
Brain fitness is a term being bandied about often these days. Computer and video games now often include "brain games" which are designed to exercise the mind. There are many online sites where one can find either free brain challenging games, or sites where one must pay to play specifically designed games for the brain.
These games are often memory-reliant, where one looks at images and then is asked to recall facts about them, number-based, where one is asked to put numbers in a certain order, or brain teasers that ask the mind to make correlations. These all help to add focus to the mind.
These brain exercises help the brain rewire and adapt. Most memory loss is related to age, but simply non-use will cause the brain to lose focus and memory. Continuing to stimulate the brain as one ages can combat this and even improve the IQ.
Physical exercise actually does help to improve brain function, but so does mental stimulation. This improvement in brain function actually protects against cognitive decline, keeping one sharp and focused.
There are simple exercises that an individual can do at any time that will help to improve brain function. Simply switching the hand that one normally does an everyday activity with will do this. Brushing the teeth with the opposite hand, or using one's opposite hand on the computer mouse will wake up parts of the brain that have to adapt. One will notice right away that the task becomes more difficult and more concentration will necessary.
Also, things like taking a shower with one's eyes closed, or reaching into one's handbag without looking and using only the sense of feel to locate items will cause the brain to work in a new way. One can also focus the attention more, using another hemisphere of the brain, by combining activities. Doing a physical activity like riding an exercise bike while reading or listening to an audio book will force one to focus and really pay attention to what the body is doing, rather than just bicycling and daydreaming.
Developing language is another form of brain exercise. It is a great way to sharpen the brain. Learning new words can help, or even reading sections of the newspaper that have different vernacular can help. If one usually reads the sports, reading the farm report or the business section can introduce new words or phrases into one's vocabulary. Watching quiz shows on television can do this, too.
Video games with problem solving and strategy inducing situations are exceedingly useful in developing cognitive function. All of the strategies are great in the way of brain exercise, and should be undertaken on a daily basis.