Brain exercises
By freedomg
@freedomg (1684)
United States
July 25, 2008 10:22am CST
Everyone is talking about exercise these days, staying healthy and fit. But have you heard of exercising your mind. There is a lot of altimeters in my family and it has always been one of my biggest fears to end up totally lost in my own mind, so I've been doing some research.
There are actual exercises that you can do to try and keep your mind sharp. Breaking your normal routine by doing little things like switching where everyone sits at the dinner table at least once a night. Playing those Brain Age games (I so want one), and playing strategy games like chess. All of these things take almost no real effort and can keep you thinking clearly in your golden years so that you can truly enjoy them.
I use these all of the time. We ever have breakfast for dinner sometimes to break routine, and the kids think it's so fun too.
Have any of you ever heard of this before and if so do you do any of it? If not would you consider trying it now that you had?
2 people like this
9 responses
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
25 Jul 08
I did a lot of research after my son was diagnosed with autism about brain activities that could help him and so he would realize what we were doing to him we all did it. It's very interesting. I am in a house full of people that do not like change and I think they hate me for it but I do the breakfast for dinner, but it's usually some dish that they wouldn't have for breakfast normally. This week it was waffles with chocolate chips and as an extra treat they got cool whip instead of syrup.
2 people like this
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Yummy! Can I eat at your house? We too try to make the "breakfast for dinner" dishes a little on the out of the ordinary side but I steer away from anything with too much sugar as I don't want to have to be pulling kids off the ceiling fans at bedtime.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
28 Jul 08
LOL anytime but I am in Ohio. I have 2 with ADHD and one with ADD the "experts" claim that sugar has the opposite affects on these types of children. But, honestly I don't see a difference either way after this type of dinner. Too bad, I could use some calm evenings lol.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Wow I didn't know they still made pixie sticks! We don't really buy candy much and when my boys have money they like to buy chips or some snack that I don't normally buy.
1 person likes this
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
29 Jul 08
I feel you the other day I heard this old bitty complaining about her back hurting and realized it was me! I am currently working on my mental as well as physical health as I have found that the more overweight you are the more likely to have trouble even mentally as you age. Well I gained a lot of weight after I stopped working and am trying to lose it now.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Aug 08
Even playing the card game patience is good. Also doing crosswords and jig saw puzzles. My Dad does all these things all the time also other word puzzles...he's very good. He lives alone, takes care of himself and he's 95. He gets slightly confused about the date sometimes but that's all.
1 person likes this
95 and still holding his own your dad rocks
@derek_a (10874)
•
25 Jul 08
Yes, I think it is important to challenge our brains regularly. I used to be a professional musician, but even now that I no longer play in public, I still challenge myself with new pieces of music. I also do cross words and am currently studying HTML and CSS style sheet creation for my webpages.
But what I find most valuable of all is my zazen (Zen meditation) that I practice for around 45 minutes each day. With this the mind is still and focused on the breathing. Since quitting the music scene about 30 years ago, I re-trained as a therapist and now teach others how to meditate.
2 people like this
I doubt that you will have any trouble in your golden years. Thanks for sharing.
@snowy22315 (169653)
• United States
26 Jul 08
I have heard of things like brain gym before where you do exercise to stimulate both sides of your brain to work together. I think for alzheimers the best thing you can do is to drink juice and coffee (has some kind of stimulating effect) and to do things like crossword puzzles and the like that keeps your brain active.
2 people like this
@martindale (163)
• United States
26 Jul 08
I do feel that routine may be good in many ways, but I can honestly say that my IQ dropped 20 points when I had children. I was trapped at home watching children's shows over and over and over and over. I knew all of Barney's songs. When they got a little older, I started working and going to school again. That helped a lot. I think I may go back to school again because I'm getting a little stagnant. I never realized that those small things you can do could make a difference. I'll try them. I don't have a hard time trying new things.
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I saw the same issues with my own life after I had kids. And now that I have 2 in home school it is even harder for me to get out. Although trying to help them with their school work is definatly making me think. I'm also going back to school for medical billing and coding. I'm an artist so I figure learning something that comes from the opposite side of the brain could not only help but pay well too. Thanks for sharing and good luck.
@lilma7 (91)
• United States
26 Jul 08
I have put myself on alert about my mind lately. I am very forgetful and it gets very frustrating and sometimes scary. I take brain vitamins and I am also doing research on improving brain health. Crossword puzzles.chess,soduko, are some games I play for stimulation.
1 person likes this
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I try to take vitamins but can never remember to take them. I feel that is so ironic...if you can take them they help with your memory but you have to remember to take them. I hope I'm not to only one that sees the flaw in that set up. I'm glad to see that you are taking an active position in protecting your mental health and your future.Thanks for sharing.
@NrgDfenZ (1810)
• Belgium
5 Aug 08
Yeah I do a lot off those mind games.. I usually play puzzle games, or team-based shooters.. With team-based shooters you need to think about your teammates before you act.. So it is in a way also a brain training thing :D
Also strategy games are on off my favorites, I love just waiting and waiting and then at the right time make the finishing move :D
Have a good day..
