In today’s fitness-focused society, the importance of brain training is frequently overlooked. Daniel Amen, M.D., draws on over 30 years of clinical experience as a psychiatrist employing functional brain SPECT imaging to emphasize the need for frequent mental exercise in improving total brain function. Beyond classic word games, learn practical, daily exercises based on the most recent research and Dr. Amen’s significant therapeutic experience.
The power of lifelong learning
Adopting a mindset of lifelong learning is critical for good mental health. Routine tasks, no matter how difficult, do not test the brain in the same way that novel activities do. Dr. Amen states, “The more you use your brain, the better it will perform.”
1. Exercise your prefrontal cortex (PFC): the brain’s CEO
  – Play language-based and strategic games, such as Scrabble or chess.
  – Combine weightlifting and aerobic activities for a powerful PFC boost.
  – Use meditation to maximize the PFC’s capabilities by boosting focus, judgment, and impulse control.
2. Flex your temporal lobes: improve memory and stability
  – Use memorizing techniques or recite poetry or prose to stimulate the hippocampus.
  – Learn a musical instrument for a multi-regional interaction.
3. Use your parietal lobes to master spatial navigation
  – Play math games like Sudoku or participate in spatial exercises like juggling.
  – Increase gray matter volume by traveling with a map rather than GPS.
4. Flex your basal ganglia: balance and stable movements
  – Test your balance with activities like yoga, Pilates, or hula hooping.
  – Arm and leg movements can be synchronized using objects such as balls or ropes.
5. Use your cerebellum: coordination for complex information
  – Take part in coordinated activities like racket sports, dance, or tai chi.
  – Maintain your brain’s agility with everyday exercises that involve coordination.
Making mental exercises a daily habit
To reap the benefits, consider these useful strategies for incorporating mental exercises into your everyday routine:
– Set aside at least 15 minutes per day to study something new.
– Take seminars or workshops, pursue a new hobby, or cross-train at work.
– Visit new locations to expose your brain to new inputs.
– Breaking habitual habits might stimulate different brain regions.
– Form friendships with people that challenge your intelligence.
– Seek expert help if you are having difficulty learning due to a condition like ADHD.
A stronger brain for a more fulfilling existence
Flexing different mental muscles daily helps to maintain a healthy and nimble brain. Engaging in targeted workouts empowers your mind, improving cognitive function and favorably impacting all parts of life.
