Brain Fitness Kit

Brain Fitness Kits

Welcome from Mike Logan

What is in your brain fitness kit? It could impact what is in your wallet as well, to paraphrase the Capital One commercials.

For all these years, about 5.5 decades, I have been putting words into my head from lots of books, and that was the brain fitness kit I was instructed to use as a kid.

I ate some fruit and vegetables and slept reasonably well, but did not ever worry about things like omega 3's. Actually I do not care for fish, so I will have to take some supplements for my omega 3's.

But technology has begun to reveal what happens in the synapses of my brain, and it appears there are actually ways to enhance the working memory circuits and fluid intelligence circuits or loops, among others, which might just enhance what I have already got, or protect what I have left of my brain.

What are those tools? Well there are several new options that I have tried, and really like.

But first, I want to let you know about some of the tools I have used.

Over the years I have used the David sound and light machines, Hemi-Sync binaural beat tapes, Transcendental Meditation, daily prayer and meditation, Open Focus, EEG Biofeedback brainwave biofeedback, HeartMath heart rate variabilit biofeedback, and the Wild Divine heart rate variability biofeedback and galvanic skin response biofeedback, and I have studied Chi Gong for the last eight and 1/2 years.

I am using the Chi Gong and HeartMath the most of those tools, because I have learned them and can feel the change in my physiology when I cue those visual images and/or breathing techniques.

But now there are computerized programs, like the Posit Science Brain Fitness program, based on the research of Michael Mezernich and his team, which is designed to work with the auditory processing system in my brain. It is not words, like an audio book, but phonemes, for example which challenge the neurons in the auditory processing loop to function more coherently. (Neurons that fire together wire together). When those neurons relearn to fire closely together, then the noise in my brain is reduced, and I can function with more confidence.

Notice I am not a superstar, just more confident.

I am also using three other brain fitness programs in my brain fitness kit.

They are Lumosity, Brain Builder 3.0, and Mind Evolve.

Lumosity is a quick hitting online series of exercises designed to work your working memory, spatial memory, processing speed, attention, cognitive control, and name recognition. You can sign-up online, and use the tools at your convenience. As you progress, you move into more difficult challenges.

Daily practice on those tools is reassuring for the Boomer Dad.

This program emphasizes the 'dual n back' task and it has some excellent research to read, if you are so inclined

For an effective, quick, online, economical brain fitness workout, you cannot go wrong with Lumosity. I start the day with my brain fitness workout, then go to the gym.

Get Your Omega 3's Here. Very important brain nutrient.

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.

Would you share what you are most grateful for? Your story could be just what another person is searching for to renew themselves? Thanks.


Have a question and want to talk with a therapist? Call 815-316-2621 for Julie Logan, LCSW, RN. 7121 Windsor Lake Parkway, Loves Park, Illinois 61111 jlogan7264@myway.com