Effective Brain Exercises for Good Mental Health

As physical exercise is essential to maintain a fit and healthy physique, brain exercise is necessary to keep your brain active and responsive all day.

If phrases like best brain exercises dominate your search history, this following piece is perfect for you.

So, let’s begin!

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What Are Brain Exercises and Why Are They Important?

Brain exercises refer to specific activities that help improve memory, focus and daily functionality. This practice is necessary, particularly for people of old age.

The brain is the most complex part of the body, which regulates bodily function, processes emotion, interprets and analyses incoming sensory information etc. It is the central hub of intelligence, memory, and creativity, which functions all the time, even when sleeping. However, some exercises can increase mental sharpness and help it stay healthy and protect the brain from age-related degeneration.

Wondering how to increase brainpower? Read along!

What Are the Best Exercises for the Brain?

Following is a list of brain booster exercises.

1. Play Games

Mental fitness games and programs are a fantastic way to challenge your brain. Board games allow individuals to socialize or utilize their spare time in an active way. A 2017 study associates playing games with a lower rate of cognitive impairment among old age persons.

2. Practice Meditation

Meditation is one of the best brain exercises that help focus attention in a calm controlled way. This exercise has positive impacts on both mind and body.

As per the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation can help slow brain ageing and enhance the brain’s ability to process information in a streamlined way. Therefore, find a quiet spot, close your eyes and practice meditation for 5 minutes every day to function better.

3. Learn New Skills

Learning or mastering new skills involves the brain in many ways, which help improve brain function. As per a 2014 study, learning new and demanding skills such as photography increases brain function.

There are several skill development options available. As you are not going to find a job with this new skill, you can easily pick any type that suits your liking. So, learn how to repair a car or use a software program or ride a horse. It will be an effective mental exercise as well as a good way out of a monotonous routine.

4. Listen or Play to Happy Tunes

If you want to increase the creative power of your brain, listen or play to music. A 2017 study shows that happy tunes create innovative solutions in comparison to when one remains silent. It means if you invest some time in listening to happy tunes, it will improve your creative power.

Along with indulging in listening to music, learning to play a tune will help you learn a new skill. Therefore, learn to play guitar, piano or drums, and enhance your brainpower.

5. Increase Vocabulary

Learning new words helps to expand your knowledge as well as exercise the brain. The best way to learn new words is to read books or watch TV programs and note down those words in a copy. Then a person can use a dictionary to find out the meaning and incorporate the newly learnt word in any way possible. It is one of the best mind exercises to boost memory.

6. Learn a New Language

Many studies show that being able to speak more than one language contributes to improved memory, a high level of creativity, and visual-spatial skills. This ability helps individuals to switch between various tasks and slow down age-related mental decline. Thus, you can boost memory power and enhance other cognitive functions.

7. Engaging in New Hobbies

If you want to train your brain, engage in new hobbies which will help stimulate your brain and activate a person’s motor skills. This benefit multiplies when individuals indulge in hobbies that demand coordination or dexterity. You can pick any habit such as embroidery, painting, dancing, knitting, and learning a musical instrument.

8. Exercise Daily

Regular physical exercise benefits both body and mind. A 2019 review shows that physical exercise helps boost memory, motor coordination, and cognition.

9. Engage in Sports

Certain sports demand cognitive skills, including planning, multitasking, sustained attention etc. As per a 2019 review, athletes have increased attention and quick information processing speeds.

10. Playing Checkers

Playing checkers is one of the best brain exercises. According to a 2015 study, participating in checkers or other cognitively stimulating games enhances the cognitive health of individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

With the top 10 brain exercises mentioned above, the discussion on enhancing mental health comes to an end. Practice these exercises to boost your memory and improve mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can completing jigsaw puzzles help enhance cognitive functions?

Yes, completing jigsaw puzzles can help make cognitive functions more efficient.

Is playing chess a good brain sharpening exercise?

Yes, playing chess is a good brain exercise.

Does solving math problems boost brain power?

Yes, solving math problems boosts brain power.

Does having a high brain IQ mean having a healthy body?

Having a high IQ often reflects strong cognitive abilities like problem-solving, memory, and reasoning skills. However, it doesn't necessarily guarantee physical health. A healthy body depends on many factors such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management.

Even individuals with sharp minds can face unexpected health issues. That’s why taking care of both mental and physical well-being is crucial, and having a reliable health insurance policy ensures you're financially prepared for any medical needs.