Have trouble remembering? Want to be sharp and focused with your mind? Then try some exercise. It can stave off the risks of Alzheimer, dementia and other brain issues.
Memory training is still a controversial but prevalent practice. Many researchers have argued that we can enhance our memory through carefully crafted exercises. However, this is most effective for high-functioning people, e.g., university students.
So, what can we do to boost our memory? A straightforward exercise is attempting to solve crossword puzzles.
The Journal of the International Neuropsychology Society suggested that accelerated memory decline in dementia can be delayed by completing crossword puzzles. Similar benefits in cognitive functioning may be obtained from Sudoku or other number puzzles.
Dr Zaldy Tan of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center advised on knitting and model-building activities. He reasoned that such activities encompass understanding, remembering and performing a series of steps to accomplish something. This is good for memory.
Meditation can help too. According to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation may increase the brain’s processing power and help slow down memory decline.
Playing games with cognitive impact is also encouraged. This may include bridge, chess, bingo, etc. These games require the players to remember and strategise, facilitating memory improvement.
One thing that can increase our memory efficiency is learning a new skill, particularly for middle-aged or older people.
Dr Tan describes this as challenging the mind, which always jolts our memory in a positive direction.
The new skill should be out of the comfort zone and interesting to the learner. This can be learning a new language, taking an art class, etc.
There are a lot of brain games available, and these may be helpful to jog our memory a bit. These games can help keep the mind sharp.
Different types of games may serve different purposes. For right-handed people, it is the left hemisphere which controls reasoning skills. Word games bolster this hemisphere.
The right hemisphere is usually associated with orientation and visual skills and can be boosted by jigsaw puzzles and mazes.
One thing we must remember is that doing memory-boosting exercises has not been shown to decrease the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s/, nor could these slow the progression if the patient already has it. However, they can help to improve the quality of life.
How about regular exercise? Do they help the brain? They certainly do.
A research article in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that such activities improve brain health by increasing blood flow. Low-intensity exercise for ten minutes (e.g. stationary bike pedalling) may strengthen hippocampus functions—the part of the brain which helps us remember things.
Memory is critical for humans. Without it, we are at a loss. Due to disease and advancing age, memory loss is not that uncommon. Practicing brain exercises, therefore, can be of value.
