Brain exercises are activities that can enhance cognitive skills.
14 Brain Exercises for All Ages
1.
Do Jigsaw Puzzles
Completing a jigsaw puzzle can be a fun solo or group activity.
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Research shows that when done long-term, jigsaw puzzles alsoimprovevisuospatial cognitive skills, such as:
2.
Play Sudoku
Sudokuis a popular number placement puzzle that may have cognitive benefits.
Play Cards
Playing card games can help improve your brain performance.
Take Up Coloring
Coloring in a coloring book may seem like an activity for kids.
Participate in Exercise
Regular exercise is well established as important for brain health.
Start Dancing
Dancingis a fantastic way to train your brain because it involves physical and cognitive skills.
You must remember choreography and have spatial awareness and coordination.
Learn a Language
Learning a language requires different types of memory, concentration, and creativity.
Research shows that learning a second language can improve these areas of cognition:
9.
One study compared adults ages 60 to 85 who learned to play the piano or did not.
This brain exercise creates new neuron connections, or in other words, neuroplasticity.
Learning a language or an instrument are both examples of learning a new skill.
Other skills you’re free to learn include:
11.
Start Meditating
Meditationis a centuries-old mindfulness practice in which one disconnects from superficial thoughts and focuses on the mind.
Research has found that meditation can trigger neuroplasticity.
It can also improve cognitive functioning and reduce age-related brain degeneration.
Play Chess
Chess is a logic-based game known for being challenging and strategic.
Read Books
Reading books benefits brain functionacross all ages and protects against age-related cognitive decline.
A longitudinal study of 1,962 adults ages 64 and older examined reading practices and cognition over 14 years.
The researchers found that frequent reading was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Travel to New Places
Traveling introduces you to new people, places, and cultures.
It also challenges your brain to navigate new environments, plan, and adapt to new situations.
Therapists call these activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
They can improve cognition while remaining functional and relevant to the person’s daily life.
5 Brain Exercises to Benefit Older Adults
1.
Do Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles are another popular brain exercise that may be particularly effective for older adults.
They can be found in newspapers, crossword books, or even apps.
The crossword group also had less shrinkage in the brain’s hippocampus and cortex regions.
Try Tai Chi
Tai chiis an exercise routine that originated in China and is based on martial arts.
It is low impact and requires balance and focus, making it highly accessible to older adults.
It can also benefit your brain because you must mirror and remember sequences and coordinate your body.
One systematic review of 33 randomized control trials shows that tai chi improves overall cognition and memory.
Play Bridge
Bridge is a much-loved card game, played in pairs.
It requires problem-solving and critical thinking while also offering a social outlet.
It is also popular among older adults.
Reminiscing About the Past
Reminiscenceis a therapeutic activity often practiced by older adults with dementia.
The onset of dementia and other memory conditions also becomes more common.
Brain exercises can help keep your short-term memory and other cognitive skills sharp during this time.
3 Brain Exercises to Benefit Children
1.
Play Pretend
Pretend or imaginative play is fun for children and essential to their cognitive development.
It involves the leader saying, “Simon Says do this,” and the children copying the action.
Examples include finger painting, identifying toys in a sandbox, or playing with musical blocks.
For instance, completing a complex crossword puzzle may give you a sense of achievement.
Attending a weekly dance class may make you feel creative and connected to your community.
Research has found that brain exercise’s effects on neuroplasticity may contribute to improvement in certain mental disorders.
However, the exact mechanisms are unclear.
All of these exercises can have positive carryover effects on other areas of life besides cognitive functioning.
Summary
The 22 brain exercises above are all shown to improve cognition in various ways.
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