If you would like to learn some more about the latest science behind brain fitness and neuroplasticity, you should definitely have a look at this video. It captures a presentation by Alvaro Fernandez of SharpBrains delivering a lecture on the topic at the New York Public Library. It covers a wide range of topics on brain science and the burgeoning brain fitness industry. This guy really knows what he is talking about.
Video of lecture on brain fitness and neuroplasticity
Brain Games and Brain Health
The human brain is known to start slowing down by the age of 25. Fortunately, at any age, if you use it, you can reverse it. One of the most essential parts of brain fitness and rebuilding your brain is building up your “brain reserve” Brain reserve is the ability for the brain to recognize itself and build new connections. A brain with a strong reserve is one that has formed many cellular connections and is rich in brain cell density. A strong reserve is generally believed to have the ability to postpone the onset of mental deterioration, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Also, neuro-degenerative diseases must work longer and harder to manifest in a brain that has built up strong reserve. To strengthen brain reserve, you can do things that are both novel and complex to stimulate a variety of areas in the brain. The fastest and easiest way to build brain reserve is to play “brain games.”
Building the connections to improve your brain health can be done with brain games that provide a normal, balanced routine of mental stimulation. Using these brain games is a way to not only stimulate your brain but provide other necessities your brain requires to exercise. To be most effective, brain games should target the following areas:
Memory, Concentration & Attention, Language Skills, Visual & Spatial, Executive Functions (Logic & Reasoning)
Brain games are definitely a wonderful way to work and challenge your brain. Games like Suduko, crosswords and electronic games can work on improving your brain’s speed and memory. These types of games rely on logic, word skills, math and more. These games are also fun. Fifteen minutes a day can seriously impact your brain health and you can find them for free all throughout the Internet.
Different types of brain games have been shown to improve your working memory and increase your fluid intelligence. You can find these types of games at Lumosity. Lumosity is a brain training program with scientifically designed games that aim to improve brain function. $6.00 a month provides you with daily games shown to target brain stimulation. They provide a free trial for you to try it out before committing.
Other benefits of brain games are increasing your mental alertness, and awareness, mood elevation, concentration, and quicker thinking. These are huge rewards for a few minutes of entertainment each day.
If you think about it, Our brain is one of the most extraordinary and complex things in the world, so it is worth nurturing, and challenges. We don’t even realize that our brain is capable of making huge and an “unlimited” number of synaptic connections, each of which is a pattern of thought. Although our brain has such amazing capabilities, it still feels like thinking can be hard work, and because we are human we take the path of least resistance, or try not to think more than we have to. Using brain games is a great way to not fall into a pattern of laziness and to keep your brain in active shape the way it should be. And keep in mind “if you use it, you won’t lose it”
Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at onlinedegrees.org, researching areas of online universities. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
take notice
The brain thrives on novel stimuli. It loves to learn, to explore and discover. However, many of us lead lives of routine and pattern that limit how much new stuff our brains are exposed to. If this describes you, do yourself a favor and work to break these patterns and start seeking out new things. In general, new friends and new hobbies are probably the best way to go, but these require a considerable time commitment, so if you are unable to take these large steps you should start off with something smaller. Try this:
Pick an environment or object you are familiar with and regularly exposed to, whether it be your garden, the beach, the woods, your walk to work, or even just a painting in your bedroom. Inspect this environment carefully and try to notice some detail about it you have never seen before. In all likelihood, this will be easy, as our brains routinely filter out information they deem irrelevant. The next time you are taking that walk, working in your garden, or checking out your painting, try to find something else new, and continue with this process. Over time, you will begin to see the environment/object in ever greater detail, and with any luck, that tendency to look closer at things and be more aware will carry over into other aspects of your life.
This tip emphasizes a general trend that emerges in many of these brain fitness tips: don’t be lazy and complacent with your mind. Use it as it is meant to be used, and be sure to take in all the richness of the world around you. Step up to challenges instead of shying away from them, and let what your brain does best: learn, grow and adapt.
don’t forget about that other hand…
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…)
walk barefoot?
I just came across a very interesting suggestion that I’d like to pass on to you. It comes from Michael Mezernich, one of the pioneers in neuroplasticity & founder of Posit Science, via the book The Brain That Changes Itself. Dr. Mezernich postulates that much of our decreased stability as we age comes from the fact that we wear shoes all the time. Perhaps that sounds crazy, but the logic behind it is quite sound. (more…)
Try things ‘blind’
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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Build a Better Brain: Brain Fitness Tips
Your mind is like a child, and you as its parent are in charge of its development and well-being. As with most parenting, some people do this well while others do it poorly. Because the brain is so powerful, it’s sometimes easy to step away from the wheel and cruise through life on auto-pilot, but to do so is to do yourself injustice. History shows that the human species has produced a host of incredible people, and that most of them were of their own making. Each of our minds has so much potential – probably more than you can imagine – and ultimately, you and only you have the ability to unlock yours. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it; with one life to live, why not make the most of it?
Below is a list of some general suggestions as to how to better your brain and work your way towards a richer existence. There are many different things you can do to improve your mind, and each person needs to take different steps depending on where they are and what they are doing, so the following list is just a rough guide. If you are already doing a lot of these things, you are probably on the right track, and know it. If not, give them a try and I can pretty much guarantee they will make you mentally tougher with a greater appreciation for life.
In no particular order:
- Sleep – Sleep enough. Insufficient sleep affects mood and peformance considerably. Having a well-rested and well-fed brain is the foundation for all these other steps; without that, you may not have the energy for much else.
- Meditate – Talk to someone who practices this regularly and they will extol its benefits. Talk to a neuroscientist about meditation and they will explain that it has a profound effect on the mind and the power to transform the physical structure of the brain. Certainly, meditation is the most conclusive proof that you have the power to consciously control how your mind works. Unfortunately, it might also be the hardest and most time-consuming of the recommendations on this list, but well worth it.
- Exercise & Diet – You already know that you should be doing this for good physical health, but it’s also very important for your mental health as well; do not underestimate the value of blood flowing to your brain. Get that heart pumping by jumping rope, taking a swim, or dancing around your apartment. Take breaks from your day for a brisk walk or some yoga. Avoid sugars and processed foods. Eat lots of fruit, veggies & nuts, although not too much; over-eating definitely takes a few bounces out of your step.
- Music/Art – If you are not playing music, take a seat at the piano or the drumset. If you are not making any art, grab that paintbrush or clay. Even if you suck. Just do it. It’s good for you and fun. If you are hesitant to play an instrument, at least sing or dance. If you’re not inclined towards the traditional arts, at least take some artistic photos or play around in Photoshop.
- Language -Yes, the sensitive period for learning a new language is well past you. You will most likely never be able to make or hear all the sounds necessary for fluency. But don’t worry about that. Learning a new language is great mental exercise and can be very useful for work, travel and making friends. And I’ll expand that to include programming languages as well, which are also useful, challenging and fun.
- Hobbies – Picking up a new hobby or learning a new craft has myriad benefits. Quilting helps with fine motor skills and creativity. Fly-fishing helps your motor skills as well and gets you outside, surrounded by nature. Birding expands your visual and auditory memory. Coaching a sport works your ability to plan, manage & communicate. Pretty much any new activity you pick up will provide you with meaningful challenge and stimulation.
- Play Brain Games – Games have great potential to sharpen your mind, as they can be fine-tailored to a specific task and engaging enough to keep you working at it. With the advent of online brain fitness programs, you can now exercise your memory, verbal skilll, attention, problem-solving, visuospatial ability and more all in one convenient place. Check out playwithyourmind.com to play brain games
- Exercise Coordination/Balance/Motor skill – Play with balls, whether it be juggling, ping pong or a game of catch. Learn to tie knots. Practice standing on one leg or walking along balance-beam like objects (better yet, do yoga or dance). Play a game of Jenga or Operation. Try to balance objects on your head, hands or feet, or on each other. These may sound like games for kids, but there is a reason kids do them: they are fun and very good for you!
- Join A Club – This is sort of like taking up a new hobby, but with a social twist. Socialization and community make you happier and healthier, it’s a fact. So join a reading group, gardening club, softball team or PTA. Volunteering is great too, as it has all the benefits of a club with the added satisfaction of making a difference in others’ lives.
- Memorize Something – Start small and work your way up towards larger, more complex things. Try a song, a poem, a dialogue from your favorite film, or a famous speech. Learn PI to 30 digits for no useful reason other than to challenge your mind. Learn all the countries in Africa – and then their capitols.
- Jigsaw Puzzles & Model Building – Find a place in your home where you can slowly work on a jigsaw puzzle, or assemble a model. It’s a great way to exercise your spatial sense as well as a relaxing break from life. Just don’t get too frustrated if you can’t find that certain piece!
- Write – If writing isn’t a regular part of your life, it should be. And I am not talking about business emails. Do something creative or expressive. Start a blog, keep a diary, compose a poem or find a penpal.
- Breathe & Relax – Stress is a brain-killer. If you find yourself worrying too much, you need to find a way to relax. Start by taking deep, calming breaths and then move on from there, whether it be to porch with a book, to the pond with a kayak, to the garden with your plants or whatever/wherever else it is that puts you at ease.
- Overcome a Weakness / Challenge Yourself – Every time you set a goal and achieve it, you mentally reinforce the notion that you have the power over your life. It makes you feel strong, capable and better prepared for the next challenge. It reminds you of the great potential of your mind and your life.
Remember, life is what you make of it – cliche, but very true. Literally, your reality is constructed within your mind, and a healthy, stimulated mind is more likely to construct a happy, rewarding view of the world. Do not get wrapped up in what you can’t do or what you are not – usually these are just untruths and excuses. Each of us has a gem within us, waiting to be mined; start digging in and you may unearth parts of you that you had long-since forgotten or never even known. There is always room to improve – no human has ever reached their ceiling.
120 ways to boost your brain
I just came across an excellent post with an ever-growing list of ways to strengthen your mind. It’s very thorough and has some unusual but excellent suggestions. Where applicable, it even provides links to places on the web where you can apply the tip in question.
Oh, and here is another similar list you may also want to explore if you liked the previous one: 100 Terrific Mindhacks to Make the Most of your Brain
I tell you, if you actually took the time do all the things on this list – or even half of them – you’d be sure to have one sharp, balanced and healthy mind! Good luck with that….
Top Highlights from The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2009 Report
Top Highlights from The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2009 Report
1) Growth market: Consumers, seniors’ communities and insurance providers drove year on year sustained growth, from $225m in 2007 to $265m in 2008. Revenues may reach between $1 billion to $5 billion by 2015, depending on how important problems (Public Awareness, Navigating Claims, Research, Health Culture, Lack of Assessment) are addressed.
2) Increased interest and confusion: 61% of respondents Strongly Agree with the statement “Addressing cognitive and brain health should be a healthcare priority.” But, 65% Agree/Strongly Agree “I don’t really know what to expect from products making brain claims.”
3) Investment in R&D seeds future growth: Landmark investments by insurance providers and government-funded research institutes testing new brain fitness applications planted new seeds for future growth.
4) Becoming standard in residential facilities: Over 700 residential facilities – mostly Independent and Assisted Living facilities and CCRCs – have installed computerized cognitive training programs.
5) Customer satisfaction: Consumers seem more satisfied with computer-based products than paper-based options. But, satisfaction differs by product. When asked “I got real value for my money”, results were as follows: Lumosity.com (65% Agree), Puzzle Books (60%), Posit Science (52%), Nintendo (51%) agreed. Posit Science (53% Agree) and Lumosity.com (51%) do better than Puzzle Books (39%) and Nintendo (38%) at “I have seen the results I wanted.”
6) Assessments: Increasing adoption of computer-based cognitive assessments to baseline and track cognitive functions over time in military, sports, and clinical contexts. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America now advocates for widespread cognitive screenings after 65-75.
7) Specific computerized cognitive training and videogames have been shown to improve brain functions, but the key questions are, “Which ones”, and “Who needs what when?”
Aggressive marketing claims are creating confusion and skepticism, resulting in a distracting controversy between two misleading extremes: (a) “buying product XYZ can rejuvenate your brain Y years” or (b) “those products don’t work; just do one more crossword puzzle.” The upcoming book The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness aims to help consumers navigate these claims.
9) Developers can be classified into four groups, based on our Market and Research Momentum analysis: we find 4 Leaders, 8 High Potentials, 3 Crosswords 2.0, and 6 Wait & See companies.
10) Increased differentiation: Leading companies are better defining their value proposition and distribution channels to reach specific segments such as retirement communities, schools, or healthcare providers.
