Just like muscles, the brain will atrophy if not exercised regularly. The brain needs a solid daily workout to develop strong nerve tissue. You don’t have to be at school or work to do it. It takes some time in the evening after dinner or in your spare time. You can start taking care of your brain at any time, wherever you are. The brain needs dopamine to promote learning and improve memory. A number of studies show that the production of dopamine in the brain increases significantly when one solves puzzles.
According to the latest data, there are over 100,000 Alzheimer’s patients in Bulgaria. When a person is diagnosed with this disease, it is too late for treatment and then you need to think about slowing down the process and worsening. That is why it is very important to think about the ways of prevention at a middle age, because absolutely everyone is endangered if they do not take care of the health of their brain.
Find your game and practice it with your friends as often as possible. Make a habit of it to shake off stress, tension and most importantly to prevent dementia.
What kind of games would help us against dementia?
Crosswords and Sudoku
Word games or so-called crossword puzzles train the brain. Repetitive words, ways of remembering and filling in the missing ones, stimulate memory and help in your communication with others. They are useful both for prevention and for those already suffering from the disease. Crossword puzzles keep you focused when you or a relative tries to find your way back home or remember something important. Regardless of your age and education, solving crossword puzzles is a rewarding endeavor. Scrabble is a board game that includes words and is a great problem-solving training.
Board games
Board games are designed for fun, but for both children and adults they are a great way to keep your brain clear. While playing, you use different strategies, approaches, strategic planning and focusing, which has a beneficial effect on mental health. Chess is a great challenging alternative. And again, the family puzzle, which often takes days to solve on the kitchen table, improves visual recognition while at the same time strengthening short-term memory. Whether it is a puzzle of 300 or 1000 pieces, putting it together is a great exercise for the brain.
Video, online and electronic games
They engage the brain and are now more comfortable than ever. They can be easily played from the comfort of the chair in your home (or anywhere) from a mobile device. Online games improve the brain power of older population. Game consoles have often been used in rehabilitation programs to build cognitive skills, including memory. The winner of the Academics ’Choice Mind Spring Award uses visual clues in photos for older people to identify hidden images, with options to increase difficulty. The player’s memory is encouraged to follow the instructions for impact, torsion and other various actions with the object.
Gain new skills
If your mind is constantly challenged to learn, it stays active and healthy for a longer period of time. Learn a new language or sign up for lessons. You can enroll in online lessons, physical courses, or purchase books to learn a new language in the comfort of your own home. Research what courses are organised in your city to start a new hobby – you could go for cooking classes, piano, solfeggio, yoga etc. If you are not up to date with IT – now is the time to sign up for a course, the internet is full of all kinds of free courses. The important thing is to keep your brain constantly occupied. One of the meanings of the Japanese word Ikigai means “the joy of always being busy”; “the passion that brings satisfaction and joy”. And this seems to explain the longevity of the Japanese, especially in the Okinawa Islands, one of the most long-lived places in the entire world.
Stay social, listen to music and dance
Stay interested, active and engaged with life and your brain will also stay active. Find places to go and things to do that will help keep your mind stimulated. If you can’t leave home, many of the places and events can be explored online too. There are many places to visit such as the museum, cinema, theatre, library. Don’t become a hermit, talk to your neighbor, call a friend or relative. Don’t let negative thoughts consume your daily life.
Listening to music and dancing are entertainment clinically proven to help activate parts of the brain and prevent cognitive decline. Music engages the mind and the senses and can be both calming and stimulating. Singing, even humming a melody, can cheer up your mood, and memorizing words will keep your brain improved. Sing to your partner or just sing in the shower. Dancing is another great activity for hand, eye and brain coordination. It’s also fun and provides social interaction. Invite your music-loving friends over to have a good time and have fun together. Plan your day to entertain others or just to entertain yourself.
Do exercise regularly
A healthy mind in a healthy body. We’ve been listening to this mantra for years. It’s been proven that physical activity can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 65 percent. Exercise reduces the risk of blood vessel disease, improves breathing, and promotes the survival of the cells that build the body and brain. Exercise also reduces chronic inflammation and improves cardiovascular health, which are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. It’s simple, you just have to choose your activity or combine them! A leisurely walk each day, stretching, yoga, walking your pet or gardening will create a pleasant feeling that will improve your physical and mental state as well.
It is important to remember that dementia is not just something that happens in the later years of life. Many factors play a role in brain health and risk over the years, with the most common being physical activity, cardiovascular health and nutrition. It’s important to pay attention to all the pieces of the puzzle!