The Brain Fitness Blog
USE YOUR BRAIN'S OWN MENTAL MUSCLES WITH STRATEGIC MENTAL EXERCISES IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BRAIN'S PHYSICAL CONDITIONING!
Your brain is made up of approximately one hundred billion cells called neurons; and each neuron connects to others by way of microscopic, tentacle-like structures called dendrites, of which there are upwards of ten thousand per neuron. Neurons communicate by way of bio-chemically charged electrical impulses that flow from one to the other and are picked up by nearby dendrites which serve as receiving antennae. The more dendrites a neuron has, and the thicker and healthier those are, the better it can receive and relay messages; hence, the more power it has.
Mental exercises that serve to stimulate unique, novel learning opportunities in the brain cause the release of special neuron-fertilizing cocktails that in turn feed and empower the cells so that they can meet the heightened demand. Uniqueness and novelty is important because, just as your physical muscles can grow comfortable doing a consistently predictable level of physical exercise, your brain cell structures reach a point where they can easily handle a familiar type of mental exercise training.
Dr. Lawrence Katz, Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University Medical Center, wrote regarding mental exercise training, "Because routine behaviors are almost subconscious, they are carried out using a minimum of brain energy and provide little brain exercise."
Therefore, if you mix things up and do the unexpected - perhaps ramp up the challenge in strategic intervals or change out training techniques - your structural improvements won't get stuck on a plateau and you will continue to experience neural growth.
WHAT MENTAL EXERCISES CAN GIVE YOU THAT BRAIN GAMES CANNOT
Through mental exercise training, you can learn the actual nature of your own habits of attention. Further, you can master control over that attention in real-time situations, thereby improving your mental concentration. On top of that, mental exercises can open the door to learning how to control your thoughts and emotions. In more advanced brain fitness levels, you can gain much stronger mental focus.
Brain games do not give you the wisdom to get over negative emotions or correct bad habits, but mental exercise training can certainly do that for you. With the right techniques, you can become a better goal setter and a courageous go-getter, placing yourself on the fast track to success. To sum it up, the right combination of mental exercises can change you into a better human being, and that's something brain games cannot legitimately claim.
THE ADVANTAGES OF STRATEGIC MENTAL EXERCISES OVER COMPUTER-BASED BRAIN FITNESS SYSTEMS
First, a strategically designed brain fitness routine doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Your own brain functions - such as your attention, imagination, and five senses - can serve as the weights in your mental gymnasium. The potential combinations of training methods are endless, and you never have to pay for an upgrade!
Second, the convenience, accessibility, and flexibility of doing your own mental exercises means you don't have run out and buy a computer, wireless modem, or laptop.
Third, progress-tracking for mental exercises is easy to do, plus the routines are totally customizable to suit your needs. If you find you work better with memory-oriented approaches, you can make them a priority. If you have a vivid imagination, you'll be able to capitalize on that and put it to productive use.
Finally, you can conduct mental exercises in countless situations and scenarios, often turning mundane daily activities into powerful, brain-boosting routines that can change your life. With what you learn about how to bend your attention, thoughts and emotions to your will, all areas of your life can become brighter as you apply those lessons.
So, now you know that the best, most convenient, and least expensive way to improve your mental concentration, get better mental focus, and enjoy a brain fitness lifestyle is to consider strategic, customized mental exercise training so that you have more mental power, greater cognitive endurance, and relaxed psychological flexibility.
