What Can You Do to Strengthen Your Mind?

While you might know that you need to exercise your body, did you know that it might also be important to exercise your mind? You've probably heard the old adage "use it or lose it." Many researchers do believe that this maxim applies to your brain health.

Brain training is all the rage these days, often touted as a way to sharpen your mind and even boost intelligence. While many cognitive scientists suggest that the claims surrounding brain training are both exaggerated and misleading, there is an abundance of research suggesting that certain types of activities can be beneficial for your brain's health.

The brain's plasticity allows it to adapt and change, even as you grow older. As you learn new things, you can create and strengthen neural pathways and networks. This helps make your brain stronger, but it can also help make it more flexible and adaptable to change.

While the researchers still debate whether or not brain training might actually make you smarter, experts agree that challenging and novel brain exercises can be used to protect and strengthen your mind. These benefits can be particularly useful for keeping your mind sharp as you get older.

One extensive study involved more than 2,800 participants over the age of 65 who each engaged in one of three different forms of cognitive training. Types of training used included speed of processing training, memory training, and reasoning training.

The researchers found that those in the speed of processing group experienced the greatest benefits, possibly because the training resulted in a broader brain activation pattern. However, all three groups benefited, experiencing protection from age-related cognitive declines that lasted at least five years.

Clearly certain mental activities can have important brain benefits.

Now let's tackle some brain exercises that you can do at home. While these brain games are not designed to make you more intelligent, you might find that you feel mentally sharper and cognitively stronger if you practice them regularly.

Next up: One of the best ways to strengthen your mind takes a bit of commitment, but it is also one of the most effective and rewarding. Find out what you need to do to get that brain of yours in tip-top shape See more...