Cognitive Fitness We are all aware and believe that regular physical exercise is imperative to keep our body healthy. However, all our efforts towards exercising our body end at the neck. But what about our brain; which incidentally, is the CPU of our body? Most people are either ignorant or haven’t given much thought about keeping their
brain fit.
Till recently, it was believed that the health of our
brains was the result of our childhood experiences and genetics. Not any more. Recent research in the field of neurosciences points out that the choices we make as adults and the experiences of adulthood also impact our brain. Hence, it is possible to strengthen our brain’s anatomy, neural networks and cognitive abilities by
activities designed specifically to stimulate our brains.
Today, “Cognitive Fitness” has become the buzzword with Neurologists, Gerontologists and people who work with
old people. It can be described as a state of optimized ability to remember, perceive, plan, adapt and think logically. Cognitive
Fitness comprises of sets of activities that are designed to stimulate underutilized parts of the brain, which help in delaying or preventing loss of memory and/or the onset of any other cognitive disorders as we age. For example, software being developed by companies like
Posit may delay Alzheimer’s disease and neurofeedback games like those offered by
CyberLearning Technology and
Imagine Neuro Solutions may improve attention and treat ADHD.
However, most people are making the mistake of thinking that Cognitive Fitness is only for the aged. Cognitive fitness enhances our abilities to deal with stress better, solve problems and make decisions. And we sure need these through out our lives.
Studies involving brain imaging indicate that acquiring diverse skills such as learning a foreign language or a new musical instrument, trying your hand at painting or knitting, strengthen the brain’s neural system and make it more active. When we learn new skills the physical make-up of our brain transforms.
To sum up, exercising our brains should also form an important part of keeping fit. Cognitive Fitness is not only for the
aged and we all need to workout our brains. Research in neuroscientific psychology suggests: challenging your brain from time to time by seeking novelty and innovation; working hard at games, searching for patterns: as key steps towards maintaining an active, healthy and a creative brain.
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More abstracts about the Cognitive Fitness