How can I exercise my brain daily?

Meditating or tai chi may increase the brain's capacity to switch between different tasks. Physical exercise increases activity in parts of the brain that have to do with executive function and memory and promotes the growth of new brain cells. You have to push yourself, and that requires being cleared to exercise and wearing a monitor to get your heart rate to a certain zone. Cognitive training is exercise for your thinking skills that uses computer or video games and pushes you to sharpen your response times and attention. Meditation or exercises such as tai chi appear to increase something called cognitive reserve, that's the capacity of the brain to switch between different tasks, allocate resources, and handle unexpected stressors in a way that makes us better able to cope with day-to-day life. Try these tricks for remembering: Names, when you first meet someone, associate the name with an image, then use the person's name in conversation. Always put go-to items, such as keys and eyeglasses, in the same places, for others, say aloud where you put them. Ask the person to speak slowly, so you can concentrate better, repeat to yourself what the person said, and think about its meaning. The diet that seems to have the most evidence to promote brain health and lessen the risk of developing memory problems is the Mediterranean diet. Eating just enough to maintain a healthy weight may help with cognition. Restoring sleep can help, brain fitness programs typically check for underlying causes of sleep loss, such as a medication side effect, sleep apnea, or an overactive bladder that interrupts sleep for trips to the bathroom.

To exercise your brain daily, all it takes is a few minutes each day. Studies have found it’s most beneficial to work on these exercises a little bit each day, instead of spending a few hours each week. Play games like crossword puzzles, Sudoku games, jigsaw puzzles and other games that rely on logic, math, word and visuospatial skills to increase brainpower. Read a variety of books, from historical fiction to contemporary classics to romance, to challenge your brain by imagining different time periods, cultures and people, while learning new things and building vocabulary. Use all your senses by incorporating activities that simultaneously engage all five of your senses, from taking a cooking class to visiting a farmer’s market or food festival to trying a new restaurant. Daily meditation can also improve your memory and processing power by creating a calm mental state, and all it takes is stealing five minutes each day to meditate in a quiet spot. Learn a new skill, like playing an instrument, building a ship in a bottle, learning new dance moves or a new language, to strengthen brain connections. Train your brain with formal courses, online programs and books, such as BrainHQ, a brain-training program that offers dozens of brain exercises designed to improve memory, attention, brain speed, intelligence, navigation and communication.

Any activity that challenges your mind and requires you to learn new information or skills is considered an exercise. Here are some good exercises to challenge your brain: Learn a new language Socialize with others Try brain teasers like crossword puzzles, word finds, word games, etc. Switch careers or volunteer Read Keep up on current events Start a new hobby Learn to play an instrument Take classes that interest you. The same activities that are beneficial for the rest of your body are also good for your brain as it ages. Think of it as exercising your brain.