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There is a reason why chess players are such excellent logical and quick thinkers. It is not just a matter of practice but keeping the brain sharp and on edge. So what are the easiest ways to keep your mind strong and stimulate your brain?
There are many great ways to help exercise your brain. Daily activities such as shopping or managing finance are excellent workouts for the brain. BoomersHub has compiled a list of some of the best brain stimulating activities for adults, particularly seniors, to keep the old crown sharp and shining as ever.
10 Best brain exercises to stimulate your brain
1. Learn new things
Nothing will level you up harder and faster than learning something new. It can be a specific foreign language like Spanish or Chinese or even a trade like arts and crafts. It can be anything that you do not already know. Learning something new or different is a great way to stimulate brain activity.
A great example is sports. Sports are a great physical activity and boost strength and balance capacity, allowing oxygen flow throughout the body, including the brain.
2. Mediate
Meditation is always great. It helps us become calm and one with ourselves. By taking up meditation, you can focus attention in a relaxed, controlled manner. Not only is it a healthy outlet for physical well-being, but those who practice it are about 60% less likely to experience cognitive problems and dementia after a certain age.
Studies also suggest that medication may slow brain aging and increases the ability to process information better. So if you are looking for activities to stimulate the brain, start meditating immediately.
3. Try puzzles
Who doesn’t love puzzles, right? Jigsaw puzzles are, without a doubt, one of the Best brain stimulating activities for seniors. Jigsaw puzzles help improve multiple cognitive abilities because the players have to remember and look for which pieces fit against the other. It is acute in problem-solving activities and significantly boosts brain functions.
There are even crossword puzzles that work great for brain stimulation. It helps exercise verbal memory by trying to come up with and match the words. Crossword puzzles are an excellent stimulant for brain activity and may reduce the chances of dementia and memory decline.
4. Do Tai Chi
Nothing can beat physical activity, especially concerning brain boosters. Adults, particularly the elderly, can significantly benefit from physical activities like Tai Chi. See, Tai Chi is one of the best brain stimulating activities for elderly people or patients. In addition, physical exercise is not only good for mental health, but it is also known to reduce stress, help prolong sleep, and even improve memory functions.
For adults engaging in group Tai Chi activity, it is an even better stimulation because social contact can boost cognitive functions and reduce the risk of dementia.
5. Play games with numbers or words
Playing word games like Hangman, Letter Squares, and Sudoku can be one of the best activities to stimulate the brain. These games help maintain focus and allow you to think faster by processing information quickly. There are many word games available today. By learning to play new word games, you are ensuring that your brain works round-the-clock by staying active and highly stimulated.
6. Learn new words
Building up your vocabulary stimulates the conversation around you and your brain. Irrespective of age, you can always learn new terms. Gaining new knowledge can fire up many regions of the brain that are involved in processing vocabulary. This kind of activity is great for visual and hearing processing, depending on how you get it.
Try it out. Practice learning some new words and see the improvement. By learning new words and even being active in word games, you are less likely to improve your memory functions and be less forgetful.
7. Play some tunes
You can do this in two ways. Either by playing music or listening to it. Playing music or using an instrument can boost cognitive functions and help against mental harm in the elderly.
Feel-good music can help boost creativity and crank up your brain power! But if you are looking to learn, it not only gains you a new skill but also helps stimulate the suitable regions of the brain.
8. Start cooking
Cooking stimulates the prime senses in our body, like touch, sight, smell, and taste. Learning to cook improves your cognitive abilities when organizing or planning meals. It allows you to multitask and helps you process information better.
In addition, cooking to craft a proper diet plan is also helpful for the brain. For foods that stimulate brain activity, refer to the MIND diet. It promotes a healthy food lifestyle and reduces the chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
9. Hit the deck
Card games like bridge, solitaire, poker, hearts, or crazy eights are great for group engagement but can help stimulate brain activity. Card games improve memory functions with the ability to recall and help thinking. Playing cards (also known as a cerebral sport) make for excellent brain training for all ages because it teaches patience, and quick thinking, including logical reasoning and focus.
10. Play chess
Games like chess can be challenging but equally beneficial to those looking to stimulate the neurons in the brain. Chess helps fire the brain up by making the neurons form connections. The more the link, means the brain operates at its best state. If you are looking for brain stimulation activities for elderly members or patients, then chess is the finest way to go about it (as long as it does not get too competitive).
How retirement homes help with stimulating activities for seniors:
Nothing stimulates the brain more than a good conversation, a beautiful atmosphere, and, most importantly, a great crowd. All of which seniors can find in retirement communities!
Assisted living facilities are perfect for finding new friends with whom you can engage in wholesome, stimulating activities! Here are the types of activities you can expect in retirement communities:
Physical activities may include:
- Group walks on community grounds or local trails.
- Swimming exercises in retirement community pool.
- Gardening for some fresh air can also be stimulating.
Social and mental activities may include:
- Game nights for socialization.
- Book reading clubs.
- Educational lectures and workshops for intellectual stimulation.
Recreational activities may include:
- Movie nights with community groups.
- Live music performances.
- Day trips or excursions to local tourist attractions like museums or art galleries.
And even if you are not in a retirement community, but under home care services, there is no reason, you cannot enjoy the list of activities by yourself or loved one!
Bonus
There are essential oils to stimulate brain activity because they work on the limbic system, help control emotions, and can even lower stress.
Give essential oil therapy a try. You never know how provocative it can be for the brain. Because if you start feeling relaxed and stress-free, you know it is working.
Reading books can also be very stimulating. We recommend some insightful and intriguing reads regarding dementia right here.
Final thoughts
If you want to keep your brain sharp and active, start stimulating it. It doesn’t matter how old or your mental condition is; keeping the human brain busy and sharp is essential to lead a healthy life.
And it can be activities that keep our brains honed and stimulated. For example, many games are designed for seniors to help with brain exercises. Check out our article on games that stimulate brain activity, especially in seniors with dementia.
Other ways to stimulate brain in older adults:
- Yoga for the elderly
- Martial arts for seniors
- Hiking for seniors
- Sex after 60 & why it is brain stimulating
FAQs
Is music the only activity that stimulates the entire brain?
Music is a great way to boost brain activity but it is not the only activity. Playing musical instruments is also great. Aside from music, there are many other activities, such as puzzles and playing games like Hangman, Sudoku, and Bingo. At the same time, any physical activity like dancing or jogging helps stimulate the brain.
What is a method that magnetically stimulates brain activity?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is the best method for magnetically stimulating brain activity how works are. This procedure applies magnetic pulses that help stimulate nerve cells in the brain, often used when most general techniques for stimulation fail.
Do stimulants increase the brain’s electrical activity?
Stimulants often increase the electrical activity (neural) of specific regions in the brain. As a result, they can make you more alert and are known to extend physical activities. In addition, many have said that stimulants can cause a person’s mood to be better while boosting their confidence level.
Does caffeine stimulate brain activity?
Caffeine does stimulate brain activity greatly to a certain degree. But the effects only last for a short time. It is known to engage and increase the energy metabolism of the brain. There is a reason why caffeine makes people alert and attentive; it stimulates the brain’s central nervous system (CNS).
How do you mentally stimulate your brain?
Reading or word-based activities significantly boost cognitive functions that stimulate the brain. Puzzles, math problems, or even playing a simple game of chess are great for the brain. Any problem-solving scenario where you have to think and find the answer greatly stimulates the brain’s cognitive functions.
How can I naturally stimulate my brain?
Mediation is a great natural way to stimulate the brain. It does not require you to buy anything or engage in anything stressful. Furthermore, getting enough sleep, relaxing, and reducing stress while exercising are great natural ways to exercise the brain. A well-balanced diet is also said to be helpful.
How can I stimulate my brain for ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a chronic mental condition. Most often, for people who have ADHD, traditional brain stimulation methods will not suffice. Activities that require high focus and produce a dopamine spike in the body are a great way to stimulate the brain.
