Boost your Brain Power

Posted on 23 October 2012

You might be keeping your body reasonably fit, but how often are you giving your brain a good workout?

Misplacing your keys often? Forgetting people’s names and losing your train of thought? Maybe it’s time to give your brain a mental workout. According to recent research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, wrestling with crossword and Sudoku puzzles, listening to lectures and reading challenging novels can help keep your memory intact. If that’s not enough incentive to get your brain firing on all cylinders, a new Mayo Clinic study shows that people who play cards, enjoy computer games or knit in later life show a decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment (the state between normal ageing and the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s disease).

The trick, scientists say, is to keep developing your brain’s pathways instead of sticking to tried and tested ways of doing things. By the time you reach adulthood, you’ve worked out how to process information quickly and how to solve problems with minimal effort. The downside is, you might not be stimulating your brain enough to keep it growing and developing. The more you challenge your thinking routine and flex your grey matter, the better you’ll be able to remember information – such as where you left your keys and your neighbour’s name.

Although the new buzzword is brain fitness and a host of companies offer ‘tailored brain gym workouts’, neurologists say that you don’t need to sign up for expensive mind teasing programmes. As long as your chosen activity includes the following attributes (courtesy of www.helpguide.org) you’ll be forming new neural pathways and improving your memory.

1. It’s new. No matter how difficult the puzzle or convoluted the knitting pattern, if it’s
something you’re familiar with, it won’t shift you out of your neural comfort zone.
2. It’s challenging. Make sure your chosen activity takes some mental effort and stretches your knowledge.
3. It’s fun. If you’re fully engaged in making that ice sculpture or planning your garden, you’ll probably continue doing it and experience maximum brain benefit.

But sitting in a chair with your needles and a complicated knitting pattern isn’t enough to ensure you’re keeping your brain in tiptop condition. Medical experts cite physical exercise as key for a healthy mind. According to the American National Institute on Aging, exercise diminishes stress (a major drain of brain energy) and improves overall health. Working up a sweat will also help you sleep better, which improves your cognitive functioning and keeps blood flowing to all parts of your body. Watching your diet is also important. While there is no ‘super mind food’, antioxidants found in most fruit and vegetables can help curb free-radical damage to your brain cells.

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.