Top 7 Brain Exercises To Improve Memory And Concentration

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Published on: 16-Apr-2024

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Lalita Vishwakarma

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Top 7 Brain Exercises To Improve Memory And Concentration

Top 7 Brain Exercises To Improve Memory And Concentration

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Our brain is responsible for everything we do, think, and feel. It is undoubtedly the most vital organ in our body, and taking care of it is essential for our overall well-being. While healthy habits like a balanced diet, good sleep, and stress management are crucial for brain health, performing exercises that improve memory can also be immensely beneficial.


In this blog, we will discuss the best exercises that can help improve memory and cognitive abilities. These exercises include playing memory games, solving puzzles, and learning new skills or languages. We will also explore how physical activities like yoga and aerobic exercise can help enhance brain function and memory. So, let's dive deep into the world of brain exercises! 


Table of Contents 

  1. What Is The Best Exercise To Improve Memory? 

  1. How Can I Sharpen My Brain Memory? Try These Fun Activities 

  1. How Can I Train My Brain To Improve Memory? 

  1. Possible Factors That Affect Your Brain Health 

  1. The Final Say 

  1. FAQs 

  1. References  


What Is The Best Exercise To Improve Memory? 


The brain is always active, even during sleep, keeping all your memories intact and always refreshed. However, some factors like nutritional deficiency or long hours of screen time are affecting it badly and increasing the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. So, here is the list of brain-sharpening exercises that you can practice daily at your home: 


1. Meditation  

One of the best exercises is "Meditation" to strengthen memory and concentration. It is a practice that involves focusing attention in a calm and controlled way. Not only this, but it is also directly associated with the brain and boosts its function. This exercise is very easy and can be performed at your home. You just need a peaceful environment to prevent any distractions. Some more benefits of meditation include: 

  • Stress reduction 

  • Improved focus 

  • Improved sleep 

  • Improved mental and emotional health 

  • Pain management 


2. Visualisation 

Your thinking power can boost your memory and improve your brain health. It usually happens when someone thinks about something, and its image is automatically created in the brain. This is called visualisation, meaning forming pictures or animated scenes in your mind. You can practice this technique in your day-to-day lives. It is one of the best exercises for students, and it helps students remember answers by forming images in the brain. So, try out this fantastic approach to enhance your memory power. 


3. Memory Games 

Playing games is another excellent way to keep your memory at its best. The fun activities help to decrease the risk of cognitive impairment during old age. They work by testing your short-term memory and your ability to remember things or patterns. There are various games that you can play to strengthen your brain, like: 

  • Memory card games 

  • Solving crossword puzzle 

  • Playing chess 

  • Solving pattern games 

  • Solving sudoku 

  • Solving riddles 


4. Learn New Skills 

The brain is the master organ that supports and regulates the activity of the body. It can grasp things very quickly, so you can take advantage of this property of the brain. You can learn new skills that allow you to work on cognitive functions. You can engage in activities like:  

  • Photography 

  • Knitting 

  • Embroidery 

  • Drawing 

  • Painting 

  • Dancing 


5. Work On Your Vocabulary 

The brain works continuously 24 *7 without any break and takes up a lot of information during the whole day. So, why not provide some good stuff that not only improves your memory but also provides you with positive information? The best way to do this is to work on your vocabulary by reading good books or watching TV programmes and noting the words that are new to you. You can practice this every day to boost your memory and mental health. 


6. Learn New Languages 

This one can work even faster than another memory-enhancing exercise. Learning new languages increases thinking ability and strengthens the connectivity between the different areas of the brain. When you learn something new, it activates your brain's recall function, allowing you to remember it for a long time. There are so many language learning apps available you can try them to keep your brain healthy at its best. 


7.  Listen to music 

Now comes the very interesting and fun-loving exercise for brain power, which is "learning music or musical instruments". Music connects different brain parts, helping them focus and maintain coordination. Practising the song's lyrics can improve your vocabulary and your thinking power. You can practice it daily, and that is free of cost. Listen to your favourite music and try to sing it similarly. 


How Can I Sharpen My Brain Memory? Try These Fun Activities  

You can do these fun-loving activities in your spare time like: 


Activities 

Benefits 

Get Crafty  
(colouring, painting, making music). 

Express yourself creatively, reduce stress, improve focus 

Get Active  
(dancing, biking, swimming) 

Release endorphins, improve mood, reduce anxiety 

Be in Nature  
(gardening, hiking, going for a walk). 

Reduce stress, improve focus, boost feelings of well-being 

Learn Something New  
(take a class, read a book, watch a documentary) 

Challenge yourself, feel a sense of accomplishment, and improve your cognitive function 

Connect with Others  
(spend time with loved ones, join a club, volunteer) 

Reduce loneliness, increase feelings of belonging, boost social support 


How Can I Train My Brain To Improve Memory? 

Here are the things that you can follow to train your brain to improve memory: 


1. Say No To Added Sugar 

Is sugar good for your brain? Eating it in moderate quantities is good, but exceeding the limit can hamper your thinking ability. Overeating sugar in any form can increase the risk of health problems and chronic diseases, including cognitive decline. Therefore, to sharpen your memory, it is crucial to track your sugar intake and try to reduce it. 


2. Try Memory Boosters 

You can also try memory-enhancing supplements like fish oil, almonds, walnuts, or herbs like chamomile. These are enriched with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA that can help maintain brain health. They are also suitable for reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering inflammation, relieving stress and anxiety, and slowing down the process of mental decline. So, you can add them to your diet as supplementary food options. 


3. Focus on Weight Management 

Weight is something that you can control by modifying your diet and routine. An optimal body weight keeps your mind and body in good condition. Obesity is one of the risk factors for cognitive decline. A study of 50 individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 found that a higher body mass index was associated with worse performance on memory tests. Therefore, it is essential to watch out for what you eat and what activities you do to manage your weight. 


4. Get enough sleep 

A good sound sleep can help improve your brain health by up to 80%. When you get a proper 7-8 hours of sleep, you are given time for your brain to relax and transform your short-term memories into long-lasting memories. But what happens when you fail to get it? Sleep deprivation can negatively impact our memory, hampering our everyday tasks. So, experts advise you to follow a proper sleep routine. You can try moderate stretching exercises before bed or drink turmeric milk.  


5. Don’t Skip The Physical Exercise 

Although mental exercise is crucial for brain health, it is not enough to keep your brain sharp. Physical exercise is also needed to increase the oxygen supply to your brain and reduce the risk of disorders that can cause memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also plays a vital role in neuroplasticity by stimulating growth factors and new neuronal connections. Therefore, it is essential to include physical exercise in your daily routine to maintain good brain health. 


Possible Factors That Affect Your Brain Health 

Various factors may hamper the functioning of the brain like:  

  • Chronic stress 

  • Lack of physical activity 

  • Poor nutrition 

  • Sleep deprivation 

  • Substance abuse (e.g., drugs, alcohol) 

  • Head injuries 

  • Genetic predispositions 

  • Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) 

  • Neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's) 

  • Environmental toxins (e.g., pollutants, heavy metals) 

  • Lack of mental stimulation or cognitive engagement 

  • Hormonal imbalances 


The Final Say 

Our brain is the most vital organ in our body, responsible for our thoughts, emotions, and memories. Taking care of our brain is essential to keep it healthy and functioning at its best. Besides following healthy habits, performing exercises that improve memory can also help enhance brain health. The best exercises to improve memory include solving puzzles, playing memory games, and learning new skills or languages. These activities stimulate the brain and help create new neural pathways, improving memory retention and cognitive abilities. 

In addition to these exercises, incorporating physical activities like yoga and aerobic exercise can also help improve brain function and memory. You can achieve optimal brain health by amalgamating healthy habits, memory exercises, and physical activities. This improves your memory and cognitive abilities and instils a sense of accomplishment. For more information about brain health and memory improvement, visit ToneOp or consult our healthcare expert if you have any concerns. 


FAQs 


1. What are the best brain exercises to improve memory? 

Some of the best memory improvement exercises are: 

  • Doing meditation,  

  • Focusing more on visualisation 

  • Try playing memory games 

  • Try to learn new skills 

  • Working on your vocabulary 

  • Learning new languages 

  • Listening to music 


2. What are the activities to improve memory? 

Activities to improve memory and concentration 

  • Painting 

  • Dancing 

  • Biking 

  • Swimming 

  • Gardening 

  • Hiking 

  • Going for a walk 


3. How are physical exercise and mental health connected? 

Physical exercise is also needed to increase the oxygen supply to your brain and reduce the risk of disorders that can cause memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  


4. What is the best exercise for brain health? 

Some of the exercises for the brain and memory are: 

  • Reading books 

  • Practicing Meditation 

  • Solving riddles 


References  


About ToneOp  


ToneOp is a platform dedicated to improving and maintaining good health through a comprehensive range of goal-oriented health plans with up to 3 Coach support. With a range of Weight Management, Medical Condition, Detox Plans, and Face Yoga Plans, the app also provides premium health trackers, recipes and health content. Get customised diet, fitness, naturopathy & yoga plans and transform yourself with ToneOp.

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