Brain Boosters
Usually, it’s considered an insult to call someone a “musclehead” — but our brains are more like muscles than we may think. Just as we want to work out to keep our bodies in good shape, we also need to exercise our brains. Depending on how we use them as we age, our minds can either improve or deteriorate. Neurologists refer to this as brain plasticity, and it means active gray matter becomes more important the older we get. It’s critical from a young age that we instill concepts such as play or challenging our brains to learn new concepts. Improving a child’s cognitive, language, and physical skills through play can help with experiences as they grow up, as well as later down the road. Practicing play can transfer into adulthood as well through the improvements in imagination, concentration, social skills, and self-confidence.
Without taking the time to exercise our brains, we could experience memory loss, have difficulty concentrating, or even develop serious conditions such as dementia. If you have any of these issues, you might want to consider starting an exercise routine for your mind.
Giving your brain a regular workout is just as important as exercising your body. However, it doesn’t have to be as much of a chore. In fact, improving your brain’s function can be a lot more fun than using the treadmill. A mental workout can involve learning another language, playing a musical instrument, or even spending time with friends. No matter how you do it, giving your brain some exercise can make you sharper, improve your memory, and stave off some of the worst effects of the aging process.
This infographic provides you with a number of helpful ideas for boosting your brain’s power levels. Your brain isn’t literally a muscle, but the more you use it, the stronger it can get.