Say goodbye to doomscrolling - fun brain exercises for adults
Don't skip brain day! Improve your brainpower with these exercises.
When did you last read a book or do a crossword puzzle?
Exercising your brain is as crucial as working out, but very few people think about boosting their brainpower.
As we age, our memory declines, which is why mental fitness should always be top of mind.
Here are a few ways to exercise your brain to stay mentally active.
ALSO READ: Have you ever had a 'brain fart' moment?
Do something unexpected
Have you ever "zoned out" while driving home from work and suddenly found yourself pulling up into the driveway? You have no recollection of the journey, and wonder how you got to your house.
Muscle memory isn't necessarily bad; it shows how smart your brain is. It helps you change gears, stay in your lane, and even stop at a red traffic light without much thought.
However, this dissociative state has its drawbacks. If there is one slight change in your route, like a new road sign or roadworks, you might not pick it up in time.
Your brain is probably bored and just going through the motions, which is why you need to give it a boost by doing something unexpected from time to time.
Here are a few ways you can switch up your routine:
- Try taking a different route to or from work. Not only will it help exercise your brain, but knowing more than one route will be useful when you're stuck in traffic.
- Do one of your daily tasks or write a paragraph with your non-dominant hand.
- Walk backwards. You might look a bit silly, but according to Kevin Woods, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and director of science at Brain.fm, told the New York Post that "backward walking enhances brain health by challenging the brain, focusing attention and strengthening neural connections while potentially forming new pathways".
Become a bookworm
Believe it or not, many adults haven't read a book from start to finish since they left high school. We get it; life can get busy sometimes, and there is hardly any time to read.
However (cough, cough), if you spend over an hour doomscrolling on TikTok and Instagram, you probably have enough time to squeeze some reading into your day.
You can read for entertainment or read to learn something new.
Start your journey to becoming a bookworm by reading books based on movie genres you like, such as romance or thrillers. If you're struggling, you can try reading short stories. Reading memoirs about high-profile figures you like (or dislike) can also be a good place to start.
There are also audiobooks, anything but scrolling endlessly on social media, which could lead to brain rot.
Play some fun but stimulating adult games
Sudoku, Crosswords and Wordle are great brain exercises that help you sharpen your mind. But they might be a bit overwhelming for some.
A fun way to flex your brain is to watch shows like 'Who Wants to Be A Millionaire', 'The Weakest Link', and 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?' Play along from your couch and see how many you can get right. Don't stress if you don't get anything right, the more you get wrong, the more you learn.
Some popular shows are based on board games, which you can buy and play with friends and family.
Memory challenge ideas
Memory challenges can help your brain's cognitive functions. Something as simple as memorising a shopping list or learning a loved one's phone numbers can help exercise your brain.
Other fun challenge ideas include:
- Learn the lyrics of a new song
- Recite the alphabet backwards
- Study 5-10 cards, place them upside down, and try remembering the order
Eat up for brain power
Like your gym routine, what you put in your mouth is just as important as the actual exercise. Health experts say that eating a diet high in sugar can affect the parts of your brain that deal with memory.
A study about dietary sugar intake also found that "a higher intake of total sugar or total calories from sugar is associated with increased dementia risk in older adults".
Here are some foods that are good for your brain, according to Harvard Health:
- Leafy vegetables
- Fatty Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Walnuts
- Berries
Your brain will thank you later!
Disclaimer: Health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor on any health-related issues.
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