

But if there’s too little, there may not be any gain. “If there’s too much, you will get stressed out and stress can be damaging to the cognitive system. “It’s important to have the optimal amount of challenge to maintain a healthy mind,” says Park. Park conducted a study where different groups of older adults (ages 60 to 90) learned digital photography and quilting-new activities that required complex planning and learning-and found that, over a period of 15 hours a week for three months, these adults enhanced their memories. “It’s important to engage in mentally challenging activities that allow you to constantly learn and get better,” says Denise Park, Ph.D., professor and director of research at the Center for Vital Longevity in the School of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas in Dallas. The key is that they must be difficult, but not too difficult. Online brain games are popular and offer a wide variety of imaginative exercises designed to challenge your memory, focus and problem-solving skills, but tactile games like bingo and jigsaw puzzles and hobbies like model building also stimulate important types of memory skills. Brain Exercises That WorkĪ brain exercise is any activity that engages your cognitive skills. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

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FREE MEMORY EXERCISES FOR SENIORS FOR FREE
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