brain games make you smarter… but so does eating dirt?

Filed under Brain Fitness Tips by on June 9, 2010 at 10:13 am {2 comments}

You shouldn’t really need another reason to take a walk in the woods or dig in your garden – both exercise & being outside in nature have myriad benefits – but just in case, let me share some fascinating research. The results of a recent study suggest that the simple act of exposing yourself to common soil bacteria may actually improve you cognitive abilities. Apparently, the activity of the microorganism Mycobacterium vaccae stimulated growth of some neurons in the forebrain that resulted in increased levels of serotonin and decreased anxiety. So make sure you serve up a dose of dirt with your regiment of brain games!

Here’s the article: Want to get smarter? Eat Dirt

don’t forget about that other hand…

Filed under Brain Fitness Tips by on September 14, 2009 at 12:35 pm {one comment}

For those of you who consider yourselves to be right-handed or left-handed, it might be in your best interest to abandon that notion and work to become ambidextrous. Perhaps you think that sounds crazy, but this is one I have personal experience with and I can tell you it’s definitely feasible. (more…)

spin away

Filed under Brain Fitness Tips by on September 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm {no comments}

I was sitting at the table eating dinner when I endulged in a childhood habit of spinning a quarter on the table and trying to stop it mid-spin. The trick is you need to be very precise and steady with your movement and hit the perfect spot with the right pressure. The more you do it the better you get. (more…)

Fine Sensory Discrimination

Filed under Brain Fitness Tips by on September 3, 2009 at 8:19 am {2 comments}

Over the past year, I have put a lot of effort into learning to identify the different types of trees in the area. This is no small challenge, as some of them differ only in minute details, and there are numerous different factors that one must consider to properly make an identification. It occurred to me today on my walk that my brain has probably changed a bit as a result of this learning process. I’d be willing to bet that that I am way better at discriminating between shades of brown and gray than most people (because of spending a lot of time looking at bark) and also at remembering the structure of irregular shapes (because of all the time looking at leaves). In general, it seems this process has increased my awareness and attention to fine detail.
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take aim

Filed under Brain Fitness Tips by on August 31, 2009 at 11:00 pm {one comment}

Think for a moment how amazing our capacity to aim is. To see a target, assess its position in space relative to you, and then move your arm at the right trajectory and velocity (taking into account the phyiscal properties of the object you are throwing, and the influence of gravity) in order to hit it, is no small feat. And as is the case with many such activities that require integration of multiple cognitive functions, aiming is probably a great exercise for your mind. (more…)

Try things ‘blind’

Filed under Brain Fitness Tips by on August 28, 2009 at 7:07 pm {2 comments}

We rely heavily on our vision as it serves us well. Yet, deprived of this sense we can still achieve a great number of things, and it might serve you well to exercise these capabilities. Obviously, this is not typically practical, but on occasion you should try do something in the dark or with your eyes closed. Try this with tying your shoes, it becomes a slightly different task but gives your proprioception / spatial sense, along with your fine motor memory.
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