Brain Training Games and Memory Exercises: A Worthwhile Ritual? You Bet!

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<html> <head> <title>Brain Training Games and Memory Exercises: A Worthwhile Ritual? You Bet!</title> </head> <body> <h1>Brain Training Games and Memory Exercises: A Worthwhile Ritual? You Bet!</h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="http://gsuser.articlealley.com/">gsuser</a></div><div class="body">Apply more brain training games, exercises and other techniques to stay mentally sharp for an entire lifetime. Why? Well, to extend a great quality of life far into the future! Barring bad genetics, illness or just plain 'ol brain atrophy from disuse, there is absolutely nothing to say that mental decline is inevitable. Simply stated, really exercise your brain -- or else (i.e. constantly challenge and use it -- or lose it). It sounds somewhat grim, but consider the current scientific understanding of brain operation. Scientists used to believe that an individual's brain reached it's peak by adulthood. After that point, it then began a slow irreversible decline, taking our advanced cognitive processing capabilities (problem solving, pattern recognition, abstract reasoning, etc...) and basic cognitive processing capabilities (memory, visual processing, motor control, etc...) with it, leading to dementia. However, new research has revealed it's not quite that simple. Nor is mental decline necessarily inevitable. To understand why, we need to look to a number of startling brain characteristics uncovered by current research. The brain has exhibited the ability to physically adapt to demands placed on it. This doesn't refer to the folding of the cerebral cortex with which we're so familiar (the squiggly appearance of grey matter). It refers to the brain's ability to change or re-assign cognitive processes to execute in alternate physical regions as needed. Prior belief had it that specific processing was locked or fixed to specific regions of the brain. If the organ that normally fed information to that region were to be eliminated (for instance blindness) the resident cognitive capability would cease and that region of the brain would simply become permanently inactive, useless. Modern technology has revealed that this is not the case and that the brain can and does alter neural group assignment to enhance the processing power of the remaining cognitive processes (according to demand). A sightless person for instance develops advanced hearing, listening and/or tactile ability because the brain re-maps that processing into what was the visual processing region. This means that the brain is far, far more adaptive and demand sensitive than previously thought. Given this flexibility, its a relatively straight forward matter to encourage the brain to maintain and/or increase its processing capabilities through training. Generally referred to as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, brain training games and memory exercise techniques provide their benefits by taking advantage of the brain's adaptive power. This is accomplished by keeping it active on a broad front of specially designed mental tasks. In other words, using as many basic cognitive processes as possible (memory, visual processing, motor control, etc...) in a specifically designed pattern of work demand (somewhat analogous to strength training for the body). However, there are other ways to engage in effective brain training. One is through active learning. In active learning we use our advanced cognitive processes (critical thought, creative problem solving, deductive reasoning, etc..) to acquire and store new knowledge about a subject. For instance, learning a new musical instrument or foreign language can exercise abstract reasoning and pattern recognition. In the case of a musical instrument, it additionally exercises motor control, and reaction time. All of which will put demand on memory processes. Learning the subjects can be time intensive, but each yields its own motivating rewards as they are mastered (remember how enjoyable it was after having learned chopsticks by heart?). Learning is an activity most of our brains are well suited in performing because we are biologically wired to learn. Continued active learning is inherently good for the brain as it forces the continuous normal activity of new neural cross connections. It is nature's original form of brain training. Note, to be effective, it's critical that the brain is acquiring or synthesizing NEW information. Pouring over information you already know is not enough. It doesn't cause learning activity. Of course, the real advantages to engaging in online brain training games and exercises, is dollar and time savings. This is because the online exercises and games are designed to stimulate and work the brain's basic cognitive processes directly (the advanced cognitive processes are less intensively involved). This means a tuba or harp (with sheet music and lessons) are not needed. Additionally, the games can be reached from any computer with an internet connection. All in all, most are very convenient, less expensive than learning to play timbales or cello and generally provide a lot of good old fashioned fun (and fun is important - more on this in a bit). No matter the approach (online/offline games or active learning), best results are achieved from a consistent regimen. For instance, memory processes do not differentiate between playing daily online memory strengthening games and french classes three times a week. Both drive the brain to store, retain and retrieve information, exercising memory type cognitive processes. A consistent level of work demand keeps the memory machinery active and running well. To the brain, a regular exertive workout (followed by proper rest) = health, well being, and sustained quality of life for the mind (over the long haul). However, motivation and establishing a regimen can be an issue. One way to stay motivated is to make sure the exercise is fun and/or at least, interesting. While the brain may not be able to register boredom, to the mind, it's a sure motivation killer. Therefore, no matter what, make sure the activity is enjoyable so that you'll stay motivated to engage in it regularly. Basic online brain training games and exercises provide mental stimulation, motivation, challenge and fun. They help induce a real mental workout and provide an alternative to some of the inconveniences of active learning. As long as it's consistent and lifelong, the more brain training engaged in, (whether active learning or online games and exercises) the better. Remember, it's a matter of really use it, (challenge it, stretch it, push it) and have fun at it, or lose it! </div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlealley.com/http://gsuser.articlealley.com/brain-training-games-and-memory-exercises-a-worthwhile-ritual-you-bet-978399.html">http://www.articlealley.com/http://gsuser.articlealley.com/brain-training-games-and-memory-exercises-a-worthwhile-ritual-you-bet-978399.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorBio"></div> </author> </body> </html>

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Brain Training Games and Memory Exercises: A Worthwhile Ritual? You Bet! Author: gsuser Apply more brain training games, exercises and other techniques to stay mentally sharp for an entire lifetime. Why? Well, to extend a great quality of life far into the future! Barring bad genetics, illness or just plain 'ol brain atrophy from disuse, there is absolutely nothing to say that mental decline is inevitable. Simply stated, really exercise your brain -- or else (i.e. constantly challenge and use it -- or lose it). It sounds somewhat grim, but consider the current scientific understanding of brain operation. Scientists used to believe that an individual's brain reached it's peak by adulthood. After that point, it then began a slow irreversible decline, taking our advanced cognitive processing capabilities (problem solving, pattern recognition, abstract reasoning, etc...) and basic cognitive processing capabilities (memory, visual processing, motor control, etc...) with it, leading to dementia. However, new research has revealed it's not quite that simple. Nor is mental decline necessarily inevitable. To understand why, we need to look to a number of startling brain characteristics uncovered by current research. The brain has exhibited the ability to physically adapt to demands placed on it. This doesn't refer to the folding of the cerebral cortex with which we're so familiar (the squiggly appearance of grey matter). It refers to the brain's ability to change or re-assign cognitive processes to execute in alternate physical regions as needed. Prior belief had it that specific processing was locked or fixed to specific regions of the brain. If the organ that normally fed information to that region were to be eliminated (for instance blindness) the resident cognitive capability would cease and that region of the brain would simply become permanently inactive, useless. Modern technology has revealed that this is not the case and that the brain can and does alter neural group assignment to enhance the processing power of the remaining cognitive processes (according to demand). A sightless person for instance develops advanced hearing, listening and/or tactile ability because the brain re-maps that processing into what was the visual processing region. This means that the brain is far, far more adaptive and demand sensitive than previously thought. Given this flexibility, its a relatively straight forward matter to encourage the brain to maintain and/or increase its processing capabilities through training. Generally referred to as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, brain training games and memory exercise techniques provide their benefits by taking advantage of the brain's adaptive power. This is accomplished by keeping it active on a broad front of specially designed mental tasks. In other words, using as many basic cognitive processes as possible (memory, visual processing, motor control, etc...) in a specifically designed pattern of work demand (somewhat analogous to strength training for the body). However, there are other ways to engage in effective brain training. One is through active learning. In active learning we use our advanced cognitive processes (critical thought, creative problem solving, deductive reasoning, etc..) to acquire and store new knowledge about a subject. For instance, learning a new musical instrument or foreign language can exercise abstract reasoning and pattern recognition. In the case of a musical instrument, it additionally exercises motor control, and reaction time. All of which will put demand on memory processes. Learning the subjects can be time intensive, but each yields its own motivating rewards as they are mastered (remember how enjoyable it was after having learned chopsticks by heart?). Learning is an activity most of our brains are well suited in performing because we are biologically wired to learn. Continued active learning is inherently good for the brain as it forces the continuous normal activity of new neural cross connections. It is nature's original form of brain training. Note, to be effective, it's critical that the brain is acquiring or synthesizing NEW information. Pouring over information you already know is not enough. It doesn't cause learning activity. Of course, the real advantages to engaging in online brain training games and exercises, is dollar and time savings. This is because the online exercises and games are designed to stimulate and work the brain's basic cognitive processes directly (the advanced cognitive processes are less intensively involved). This means a tuba or harp (with sheet music and lessons) are not needed. Additionally, the games can be reached from any computer with an internet connection. All in all, most are very convenient, less expensive than learning to play timbales or cello and generally provide a lot of good old fashioned fun (and fun is important - more on this in a bit). No matter the approach (online/offline games or active learning), best results are achieved from a consistent regimen. For instance, memory processes do not differentiate between playing daily online memory strengthening games and french classes three times a week. Both drive the brain to store, retain and retrieve information, exercising memory type cognitive processes. A consistent level of work demand keeps the memory machinery active and running well. To the brain, a regular exertive workout (followed by proper rest) = health, well being, and sustained quality of life for the mind (over the long haul). However, motivation and establishing a regimen can be an issue. One way to stay motivated is to make sure the exercise is fun and/or at least, interesting. While the brain may not be able to register boredom, to the mind, it's a sure motivation killer. Therefore, no matter what, make sure the activity is enjoyable so that you'll stay motivated to engage in it regularly. Basic online brain training games and exercises provide mental stimulation, motivation, challenge and fun. They help induce a real mental workout and provide an alternative to some of the inconveniences of active learning. As long as it's consistent and lifelong, the more brain training engaged in, (whether active learning or online games and exercises) the better. Remember, it's a matter of really use it, (challenge it, stretch it, push it) and have fun at it, or lose it! Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/http://gsuser.articlealley.com/brain-training-games-and-memory-exercises-a-worthwhile-ritual-you-bet-978399.html About the Author:

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