Improve your brain function with these simple and effective techniques

Improve your brain function with these simple and effective techniques

While you read and hear a lot about how important it is to keep your body healthy and fit, what about doing the same for your brain? Just as your body requires a nourishing and well balanced diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise, your mind also needs to be looked after. In fact, certain activities help keep your brain younger, smarter and healthier. Here are some things that will help...

Dancing is an effective way to boost brain function. It doesn't matter if you have two left feet -the idea is to give it your best shot.  With numerous styles and classes in the city offering everything from salsa and foxtrot to contemporary and Kathak, you will be spoilt for choice. Studies have revealed that people who dance have a decreased chance of dementia because it increases blood flow to your brain.

Your mind requires to stay active in order to function optimally. And to do that, you need to challenge it regularly. If you work out regularly at the gym, change your routine and do something different. Not only will your body rise up to the challenge but so will your brain.

Always dreamed about going to a foreign location and being able to speak the native language? Well, your brain will be thankful if you know another language it seems.  Researchers say that knowing three or more languages not only lower the chances of dementia but also makes you an effective multitasker.

Do you turn your nose up at the thought of playing board games?

Chances are that you might change your mind after reading this. Playing board games stimulates the mind and even helps improve cognitive behaviour.  There are tons of games to choose from -right from strategy and word games to general knowledge and cooperative games. Even a simple round of chess is effective. 

While reading is encouraged to boost your brain, writing is as important. Keep a diary to maintain your thoughts, dreams or even just your everyday chores. Write when you're stressed, happy or simply even if you want to jot down a memory . Research says that when you write down your thoughts, working memory improves. And writing in itself is a wonderful exercise instead of typing away on a keyboard. 

Video games are another effective way to boost the brain. Of course, that doesn't mean you spend hours playing games. However, experts say that every once in a while, it is considered a good exercise for your brain since it improves your problem solving and spatial skills. 

Another mistake that people often make is not alloting enough time (or too much time!) to tasks. For example, not giving something enough time or giving too much time to something undeserving is simply a waste of your mental energy. When you use your time competently, you're training your mind to function better. 

Think sleeping during the day is just a waste of time? Years of research begs to differ. 

Taking a small nap -even just 10 to 20 minutes a day -is enough to regenerate your batteries and if some studies are to be believed, even keep dementia at bay.

Lastly , it is important to push yourself both mentally as well as physically . When you challenge yourself, it encourages your brain to perform even better. 

Other activities that are said to boost brain function include solving jigsaw puzzles and adult colouring books. While jigsaw puzzles encourage you to use both parts of your brain, which improves cognitive function and sharpen your spatial skills, colouring books calm down the mind and increase self-awareness, develop social skills and even reduce anxiety .

While multitasking has its benefits, an increasing number of studies say that it is better to tackle one task at a time in order to do it better. And it's supposedly better for your brain as well! When you multitask, your frontal lobe gets bogged down. And it is this part that is responsible for all the problem solving and decision-making that you need to do at any given time. So, instead of getting overwhelmed by doing several things together, tick off one thing at a time from your to-do list to improve brain health.

Not a social person? You might have to change your outlook after reading this. Experts say that when you spend time with loved ones, it helps improve your mental processing speed and memory.

Another way to stimulate those brain cells is to learn how to play an instrument. Don't worry if you aren't musically inclined -you don't have to perform in front of an audience. Even playing something just for yourself is good enough. Whether you choose the guitar, violin, piano, flute or drums -playing an instrument regularly seems to help improve your memory.

If playing an instrument seems out of your league, fret not, listen to some uplifting music instead. Research has it that music has the ability to help improve concentration and even the brain's capacity to remember events.

Reading is another habit that a lot of people don't consider important enough. However, reading regularly is said to be one of the best exercises for the brain. Don't go overboard though and cram your mind with every available thing out there. Screen your reading material and see how much it benefits you. 

Source | Times of India | 4 April 2016

Regards

Pralhad Jadhav

Senior Manager @ Library

Khaitan & Co

Upcoming Event | National Conference on Future Librarianship: Innovation for Excellence (NCFL 2016) during April 22-23, 2016.

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