Quit thinking so hard! #TrainYourBrainDay
Here’s how you can train your brain to work better in easy, doable ways
Do you find yourself searching endlessly for better brain tips online?If you’re anything like me, you’re probably obsessed with training your brain to work faster and better.
Why make things so complicated?
Here are some easy-to-do, everyday exercises and tips to help increase your brain power, along with a few advanced options for people who like a challenge.
KISS (Keep it simple silly)
New to brain training or don’t want to drain your brain in order to make it sharper? Try these simple options — they’ll take only a few minutes, and they’re easy to pick up and put down.
A spot of Sudoku anyone?
I know so many Sudoku addicts! The game is reminiscent of crossword puzzles, but uses numbers rather than words. The goal of this game is to put the numbers one through nine so they all appear in the 3x3 boxes, the columns and the rows of the puzzle.
As this logic challenge can be quite difficult at times, it’s an excellent workout for your brain.
You can play Sudoku online here or buy a Sudoku book.
Still puzzled?
Have a way with words? The traditional crossword puzzle could be a good choice for you.
Or, you could try video games such as Portal and Tetris, both of which offer an excellent experience that requires quick thinking and a lot of logic. Or these brain teasers that will help you think outside the box and try to find solutions in many ways.
How about a good book?
Did you know that reading even a little bit every day can help train your brain?
Says who you ask? Well, every book addict everywhere!
Reading also helps you expand your vocabulary and provides an excellent way to take a break from a computer or smartphone screen. You could even start a book club at your work on an online collaboration platform.
Ready to take it up a notch?
If you feel like you’ve already mastered the basics, let’s move on to some advanced brain training techniques to give your brain a really good workout.
Never stop learning
This one is easier said than done! One of the best ways to fight brain fatigue, decision fatigue… well pretty much all types of fatigue — is to adopt a mindset of continual learning and focus on gaining new and complex skills.
Simply put, keep on trying new things, like picking up another language or taking an origami workshop. Anything that jolts your mind out of the ordinary and mundane.
And it’s fairly easy to find such resources.
You can try massive open online courses, for example, to gain access to college-level classes. Or pick up programming or learn how to make jewelry. Check out YouTube, which offers an almost endless database of videos from people with many specialized skills. And finally, there are sites dedicated to online learning, such as Udemy. You can keep track of your all classes through simple project management apps.
Play cognitive games
While many games help train your brain, there is an entire genre that’s dedicated to your boosting your cognitive power.
Lumosity is an excellent example of a site that publishes mini-games that focus on particular areas. You can test your memory, expand your vocabulary, learn how to recognize patterns, and train many other areas of your brain.
My tip? Try out a variety of games.
If you focus on the same one every time, you won’t grow new pathways in your brain. Try to mix up the focus areas. If you spend a lot of time playing word games, try switching to something that involves visualizations or numbers.
Are you ready to tackle #TrainYourBrainDay with these techniques?
Make sure that you exercise your mind every day, not just on this awareness-building holiday :)
-Authored by Kushal Saini Kakkar, who is trying not to think too hard about how our brains work. Is also a content marketing maven at Flock.
Got any favorite brain teasers? Why not share in the comments below.
Got a minute? Read these blogs for more ideas and inspiration.
