Guest Article written by George Mears from Brainwellness.info / [email protected]
Is Brain Fitness the Key to Reducing Alzheimer’s Risk?
Computer games get a lot of flak for being mindless activities that keep teens from their homework and cleaning their rooms, but it turns out there might be some value behind computer time, after all. Of course, not all video games are created equal, but those that require creative thinking skills can be helpful in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Computer games aren’t the only games that can improve brain health; many activities that put your memory and cognitive skills to work are proving to be beneficial for the brain.
Hands-On Art Offers Cognitive Benefits
One study conducted by researchers at the University Hospital Erlangen among older adults found that participation in hands-on art classes showed improvements in regions of the brain associated with introspection, self-monitoring, and memory. In comparison, another group of participants who took an art appreciation course did not have the same improvements, pointing to some distinct benefits from engaging in hands-on art such as drawing and painting.
Research also shows that artistic activities such as painting can help to foster creative growth, improve memory, and enhance both problem-solving and motor skills. As an added benefit, painting can be a great stress-reliever, too.
New and Different Activities Foster New Connections
When you develop habits and master skills, your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to complete the same activities that were once more challenging. For this reason, giving your brain a workout by doing things differently than you typically do – and doing things that you’ve never done before at all – is one of the best ways to foster the development of new neural connections in the brain.
For example, most people have a dominant hand. You probably write with the same hand consistently and even brush your teeth using your dominant hand. You can flex your mental muscles just by doing some ordinary tasks with your non-dominant hand. You might be surprised by how much more thought you have to put into everyday activities that you ordinarily do on autopilot.
Brain Teasers, Puzzles, and Games Foster Critical Thinking Skills
Most people have tried to solve a brain teaser at least once. Some people love the challenge of trying to solve a seemingly impossible challenge, while others tend to become frustrated. Brain teasers are a useful way to work your brain and maintain brain health, but there are other mind-challenging activities that can be just as beneficial. For instance, playing cards can boost short-term memory and cognition, particularly games like Bridge, which require you to use visualization, memory, and sequencing skills.
Poker is another useful card game for brain health, not only because it requires you to think critically and strategize, but because it’s often a social activity. Studies show that people who regularly socialize with others perform better on memory and cognitive skills tests, and research indicates that those with active social lives may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia later in life.
Whether you decide to engage in some challenging computer games, start a weekly poker night with a group of friends, or rediscover the joys of brain teasers and logic puzzles, there are many ways to engage your brain that can help to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have a free pass to spend every waking moment playing video games, but it doesn’t hurt to have a good excuse to kill some time now and then – after all, keeping your brain healthy is a priority that will pay off for many years to come.
Image via: Pixabay by congerdesign
