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Brain Fitness GamesBrain Fitness Games on Your ComputerWelcome from Mike Logan
Brainfit For Life-A Users Guide to Life Long Brain Heath and FitnessCurious about brain fitness programs? Is there anything to them besides smoke and mirrors? I have been using four of them, and I like them, and I believe that they work. Dr. Simon Evans and Dr. Paul Burghardt from the University of Michigan have written an informative e-book that explains how brain fitness can be induced or practiced. Their e-book draws on their professional expertise to explain in a humorous way that brain fitness is certainly something we can cultivate. Want just a chapter, and not the e-book? No problem, but for $17.00, how can you go wrong? Remember, everything starts in the brain. That is correct, if you want to pick up a fork to eat apple pie, your brain is what moves your body and picks up the fork.Once you have read the book, look for links below to exceptional brain fitness tools used and recommended by me. "Dr. Simon Evans and Dr. Paul Burghardt draw from their brain science research and extensive speaking experience to mix important health messages with an entertaining journey into your brain and mind. BrainFit For Life will motivate, educate and delight you on your way to a healthier brain and more enriched life. After all, thoughts are things. They are electrical and chemical pulses that change your brain by their very existence. BrainFit for Life gives you the tools to change your brain for the better and achieve life-long brain health and fitness." Thoughts about your perceptions do change your life, and fast. You change your hormonal bath with a thought twice as fast as you can blink your eyes. (You may have dated your significant other for a long time, and when you made the words "I love you", your life changed didn't it)?
Brainfit for Life-A Users Guide to Life Long Brain Health and Fitness
Brain Fitness is now something we can do more effectively than ever before. Most of us have always known that keeping some cognitive challenges in your head, and an interesting life were part of a healthy lifestyle and aging, but now research is indicating that specific brain skills, like memory, language, concentration, language, executive functions, and visual-spatial skills can be exercised. And you can do some of those exercises right at your computer, and the program will provide increasing challenge as you master levels, and track your progress. I like the increased challenge best of all. I can have some confidence in the program generating something that benefits me, even if it is hard, rather than me just picking something I am curious about, which does not really challenge my neurons. That is one of the things that Michael Merzenich talks about in his work. The challenge needs to be novel.
Most people think staying fit is just for their bodies. However, it is critical that we keep our brains working in top form. After all, it is our most important asset. Scientists now know more about the brain and the many things we can do to keep it healthy. Research is showing that we can reduce our risk of mental decline and debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's. With aging comes change, usually associated with loss of ability or function. The great news is that just like our bodies, if we stretch and exercise our brain, we can keep it fit. Lifestyle is a key factor in determining brain health. Lifestyle areas important to brain health: Brain Fitness-there a both low tech and high tech tools available Physical Activity-increases endorphins, which reduce antioxidants Social Interaction-friendship Healthy Diet-eat it as grown-fruits and vegies are key
Brain Fitness ResearchIn 2006, the ACTIVE Study, funded by National Institute of Health, demonstrated that older adults could improve their brain abilities with the correct training. Certain mental exercises can partially offset the expected decline in older adults' thinking skills and show promise for maintaining cognitive abilities needed to do everyday tasks. Some of the gains from training were seen to be beneficial 5 years later.The Bronx Aging Study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed almost 500 people for more than 20 years. The research found that people who participated in mentally stimulating activities, such as interactive games and other leisure activities multiple times a week had a 65-75% better probability of remaining sharp than those who did not participate in these activities.
Another well-known study is the Nun Study. Scientists followed 700 nuns for more than 20 years. An interesting finding was that certain types of intellectual activity and stimulation could protect against many types of cognitive decline. A study from Columbia University supports the concept of brain reserve and that education, occupation and stimulating leisure activities all reduce the potential risk of developing brain disease. I am going to assume that you have your own low tech resources for brain fitness games, so here are a couple of high tech that I like, quick and powerful. A Couple of High Tech Answers
I start every day with this. I am learning over and over how quickly my attention wanders. And I am improving.
I have used many of these tools over the years, and absolutely loved them. Makes it much easier to stay caught up with my four year old daughter.
Get Your Omega 3's here. Brain nutrition is as important as brain exercise.
Would You Share Something That You Are Grateful For?
When I was beginning my personal growth journey, a wise person told me that when I was feeling resentful or afraid or sad, that I should remember the phrase "gratitude is the attitude" when I was ready to feel better. That phrase has helped me feel better tens of thousands of times.
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