Forbes Reports:
Quick Summary
A brain exercise is any activity that engages your cognitive skills. A 2014 study found brain exercises helped older adults maintain reasoning skills and speed of cognition 10 years after the research period came to an end. The key is that the exercises must be difficult, but not too difficult.
Key Points
- It’s important to engage in mentally challenging activities that allow you to constantly learn and get better.
- Adding novel behaviors that you never performed before helps build new neural circuits that will be built to handle that challenge.
- Brain exercises provide significant benefits and can make your life better.
- Play a stimulating game with other people provides the added bonus of companionship, which provides protective health benefits for older adults.
- Brain exercises can play an important role in creating a positive outlook for older adults especially for those who are retired or are dealing with illness.
The article states:
People need purpose and a sense of control. If they are losing their memory, or they’ve received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, they might feel they have no control over it. Brain exercises and games can give them a chance to feel like ‘I’m in control here, and I can improve,’ and this will improve their mood.