Training your brain

(NC)—Just as muscles need to be exercised regularly in order to be healthy and strong, so does the brain.

Scientists have recently discovered that, when the brain is regularly exercised, it can acquire new knowledge and skills and even alter its anatomy to perform better, while decreasing stress levels. This phenomenon is referred to as “neuroplasticity,” or “brain plasticity,” and it means that the brain can develop when it's pushed out of its comfort zone – even in the later years of life.

There are many ways you can exercise your brain and once you start, you'll soon see that doing mental aerobics is fun and easy. Puzzles like crosswords or Sudoku are a great way to challenge your mind and they exercise the regions of your brain associated with word naming, word association and arithmetic. You can also sharpen your mind by switching off the TV in favour of a game of chess, checkers or fun group activities like Trivial Pursuit and Cranium. While these are all great ways to stimulate your brain, they won't work the entire organ.

New and safe products developed to give the brain the most intensive and complete workout possible, such as brain training software, are now available on the market. Brain training software is a high-tech and efficient option to improve your brain's performance and keep the mind young. There are games that you can play with hand-held consoles, like the Nintendo DS, and other programs that you can use on your computer, at home, and at work.

The NeuroActive Program, for example, is computer software that was scientifically developed to train the entire brain and improve the functions we use daily, such as memory, brain processing speed, concentration, arithmetic and attention skills.

According to Dr. Stephane Bergeron, Canadian medical doctor and creator of the NeuroActive Program, “exercising with brain training software is the most efficient way to work your entire brain and to see vast improvements in memory and brain performance, in the least amount of time”. Dr. Bergeron says that training the brain three times a week for at least 30 minutes can yield results which can last up to five years. He also recommends the program as part of an all-natural Alzheimer's prevention strategy.

When you select the right brain training program for your lifestyle, the activity can be easily integrated into your routine. Whether you want to maintain your memory as you grow older, augment your brain's performance for increased productivity at work or school, or simply sharpen your brain to feel ten years younger, exercising your brain is the only way to go.

Brain training software is easy to find. The NeuroActive Program is available at national retailers such as Best Buy and Future Shop.

Source: www.newscanada.com