Just like physical exercise strengthens the body, brain exercises help keep the mind sharp and active. Engaging in mental workouts can improve memory, cognitive function, and problem-solving skills. While also reducing the risk of cognitive decline as we age.
Brain exercises include activities like puzzles, reading, meditation, and learning new skills, all of which stimulate different areas of the brain. By incorporating these exercises into daily routines, individuals can boost mental agility, enhance concentration, and maintain overall brain health.
Best 21 Brain Exercises For Memory, Cognition, and Creativity
No matter, you’re young or old, keeping your mind engaged is key to lifelong cognitive vitality. Brain exercises may help boost and maintain brain function. Memory games, learning new skills, crosswords, and even video games may help. In this guide, I’m going to share 9 best brain exercises for your memory improvement.
1. Meditation
Meditation generally involves focusing attention in a calm, controlled way. Meditating may have multiple benefits for both the brain and the body.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Trusted Source , research suggests that meditation may benefit the brain by affecting its structure or how it functions. However, more research is necessary.
2. Visualizing more
Visualization involves forming a mental image to represent information. The mental image may be in the form of pictures or animated scenes.
A 2018 review Trusted Source notes that visualization helps people organize information and make appropriate decisions.
People can practice visualization in their day-to-day lives. For example, before going shopping, people can visualize how they will get to and from the grocery store, and imagine what they will buy when they get there.
The key is to imagine the scenes vividly and in as much detail as possible.
3. Playing games
Playing brain games is a fun and effective way to keep your mind sharp. Puzzle games, chess, Sudoku, and memory challenges help improve cognitive skills like problem-solving, concentration, and critical thinking. Regular mental exercises can boost brain function, enhance memory, and even reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Just like physical exercise strengthens the body, brain games keep the mind active and engaged.
4. Playing brain training games
Brain training games can test a person’s memory and ability to remember patterns.
They are a simple and fun way to engage the brain and activate areas related to pattern recognition and recall.
According to a 2021 study Trusted Source , brain training games may help improve cognitive performance in older adults.
Number puzzles, such as sudoku, can be a fun way to challenge the brain. They may also improve cognitive function in some people.
A 2019 study Trusted Source of adults aged between 50 and 93 years found that those who practiced number puzzles more frequently tended to have better cognitive function.
8. Playing chess
A 2019 review suggests that chess may help protect against cognitive decline in older adults.
However, the review also notes that chess is unlikely to have any particular benefit for people with existing dementia or other conditions causing cognitive decline.
9. Playing video games
Some types of video games may support the brain. A 2022 study Trusted Source compared the cognitive effects of playing video games in children with those of children who did not play video games.
The study found that those who played video games had better:
- attention
- memory
- reaction times
However, the study also noted that the differences between children who played video games and those who did not were so small that they did not have any clinical relevance.
It is important to note that further study may be necessary due to concerns about the association with mental health symptoms.
10. Playing checkers
A 2015 study Trusted Source looked at the benefits of regular participation in cognitively stimulating games such as checkers in middle-aged adults at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study found possible links between the game playing and larger brain volume and improved markers of cognitive health in people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
More research is necessary.
11. Socializing
Enjoying the company of friends may be a mentally engaging leisure activity and may help preserve cognitive function.
A 2019 study found that people with more frequent social contact were less likely to experience cognitive decline and dementia.
Some social activities that may help stimulate the brain include:
- having discussions
- playing games
- participating in social sports
12. Sleeping
While not necessarily an active exercise, sleep is crucial for both the brain and the body.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Trusted Source most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night, although many people get less sleep than they need.
A 2015 review Trusted Source notes that sleep has been proven to:
- boost memory recall
- reduce mental fatigue
- regulate metabolism
Contrastingly, sleep deprivation can negatively impact a person’s reaction times and mental states, according to a 2023 study
Making sure to get enough sleep each night is an important step toward maintaining a healthy brain.
13. Practicing tai chi
Tai chi is a form of physical exercise that involves gentle body movements, rhythmic breathing, and meditation.
A 2019 study Trusted Source compared brain function and connectivity among tai chi practitioners and those who did not practice it.
The researchers found that the tai chi practitioners had enhanced connectivity between different regions of their brain. They proposed that this may improve cognition and decrease the rate of memory loss.
14. Engaging in sports
Certain sports are both physically and mentally demanding. Some require a range of cognitive skills, such as:
- sustained attention
- planning
- multitasking
- the ability to adapt rapidly to changing situations
A 2019 review notes that elite athletes who participate in high demand sports tend to have improved attention and faster information processing speeds.
15. Dancing
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source, regular physical activity can help prevent or delay the onset of conditions like dementia,
According to a 2022 meta-analysis Trusted Source, dancing could benefit older adults with mild cognitive impairment by improving:
- global cognition
- cognitive flexibility
- memory
- visuospatial function
- balance
16. Exercising regularly
Regular physical activity or exercise is beneficial for both the brain and the body.
A 2023 review and meta-analysis Trusted Source found that exercise may help improve cognitive function in older adults. Regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and resistance exercise may be particularly useful.
17. Taking up engaging hobbies
Taking up a new hobby can be mentally stimulating and exercise the brain in new ways. A 2023 article Trusted suggests that engaging in hobbies can help promote healthy aging and improve mental well-being.
Hobbies that require coordination or dexterity will activate a person’s motor skills. Such hobbies may include:
- knitting
- embroidery
- drawing
- painting
- dancing
- learning a musical instrument
22. Learning new skills
Learning new skills engages the brain in different ways and may help improve brain function.
A2014 study Trusted Source of older adults found that learning a new and cognitively demanding skill, such as quilting or photography, enhanced memory function.
FAQs
1. Why are brain exercises important?
Brain exercises help improve memory, cognitive function, and problem-solving skills. They also reduce the risk of cognitive decline, keeping the mind sharp and active at any age.
2. How often should I do brain exercises?
Engaging in brain exercises for at least 15–30 minutes daily can be beneficial. Consistency is key to seeing long-term cognitive benefits.
3. Can brain exercises prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s disease?
While brain exercises cannot guarantee the prevention of dementia or Alzheimer’s, studies suggest they may help delay cognitive decline by strengthening neural connections.
4. What are some simple brain exercises I can do daily?
Some easy daily brain exercises include solving puzzles, reading, meditating, socializing, learning new skills, and playing memory games.
5. Do video games really help improve brain function?
Certain video games, especially those that challenge memory, problem-solving, and attention, can enhance cognitive skills. However, excessive gaming should be avoided.
12. What are some hobbies that stimulate the brain?
Creative hobbies like painting, knitting, learning a musical instrument, and photography engage different parts of the brain and improve cognitive flexibility.
Conclusion
Brain exercises can range from engaging the brain in everyday tasks to performing targeted workouts for the brain. Some are specifically designed to enhance memory, cognition, or creativity.
Exercising the brain may help improve brain function and boost connectivity between the different areas. This may help protect the brain from age-related degeneration.
People are likely to differ in terms of the brain exercises they find most enjoyable. It may be a good idea to try a range of brain-training activities at first and to stick with those that provide the most enjoyment or reward.