[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/brain-exercises\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/brain-exercises\/","headline":"10 Exercises to Build Brain Health","name":"10 Exercises to Build Brain Health","description":"Learn more about some of the top mental exercises for your brain. Discover how simply changing your routine or doing something new can benefit your brain.","datePublished":"2014-11-10","dateModified":"2022-05-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","name":"Neurosurgery","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/neurosurgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/brain-exercises.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/brain-exercises.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/brain-exercises\/","about":["Neurosurgery and Brain Health"],"wordCount":711,"keywords":["Alzheimer's disease","brain exercises","dementia","luminosity","memory","mental exercises","National Institute on Health and Aging","neuroscience"],"articleBody":"The brain is by far the most complex organ in the human body, controlling every bodily function through an intricate network of cells called neurons. There are billions of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. By using chemical and electrical signals, the brain can control everything from body temperature and heart rate to muscle movement and much more.Although the brain is quite powerful, it is still prone to countless diseases. As you age,\u00a0your brain\u00a0is constantly changing. If your brain isn’t challenged or actively engaged on a regular basis, your risk for diseases, such as\u00a0dementia\u00a0and\u00a0Alzheimer’s, increases as the years go by.10 Simple Ways to Keep Your Brain HealthyGoing to the gym may be a priority for making sure that your body stays in shape, but it’s equally important to regularly exercise your brain to keep your mind functioning at its best.Fortunately, research has shown that your brain continues to produce neurons throughout your entire lifetime. If you’re regularly challenging and exercising your brain, these new neural connections can help expand your brain and keep you sharp well into your golden years. Here are a few simples ways to stimulate your brain to keep it healthy:1. Change your routine.Simply changing your route to work or rearranging your living room will force your brain to adjust to new surroundings. As you become older, your attention span decreases and you become more susceptible to distraction. Changing things up a bit every now and then gives your brain a wake up call and forces it to pay attention again.2. Try something new.Training the brain can be fun. Here are some ideas:Brush your teeth with your opposite hand.Take a few guitar or piano lessons.Learn a new language.Try out a new sport, such as golf or pickleball.The list can go on and on. As you acquire an ability, you’re actually creating a system in the brain that does not exist. Basically, your brain is evolving\u2014creating new connections, neurons, and memories.3. Stay mentally active.As the old saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you may lose it.” These activities will help keep your brain sharp and slow down brain aging:ReadingSolving puzzlesPaintingDrawing4. Memorize, memorize, memorize!Memorizing exercises give the brain strength to retain more information and build new associations between different neural connections of the brain. In fact, researchers from the National Institute on Aging found that adults who went through memory training were better able to maintain higher cognitive functioning and everyday skills \u2014 even five years after going through the training.5. Exercise regularly.Staying physically active will help increase the number of blood vessels that bring oxygen to the brain, which can improve memory and help avoid mental decline.6. Keep an active social lifeBeing social and interactive can prevent or delay onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by keeping neuron connections strong.7. Eat more foods with antioxidants.A healthy diet can help control diabetes, blood pressure, obesity and cholesterol \u2014 all of which can harm the brain. Eating more of these foods can neutralize free radicals in the body that can cause damage to brain cells. Try eating more:BeansWhole grainsNuts8. Get a good night’s sleep.A well-rested brain works more efficiently and effectively, so try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Set up your bedroom for better sleep hygiene, which includes keeping your room cool, dark, and quiet \u2014 away from electronic devices. Even a short 20- to 30-minute nap can boost concentration and memory.9. Have fun.Doing things that are fun and pleasurable can help stimulate dopamine, the major chemical that transmits information between the neurons or brain cells. So, find a hobby or activity that brings you joy and do it as much as you can!10. Try the ultimate memory challenge.Shower and get dressed in the total darkness. This exercise will force your brain to adapt and create new neural pathways that ultimately will make it stronger and more resilient. Be careful and deliberate to ensure that you don’t trip on anything!Editor's Note: This article was originally published on November 10, 2014, and was last reviewed on May 24, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"10 Exercises to Build Brain Health","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/brain-exercises\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]