{"id":2074,"date":"2020-02-27T19:53:13","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T19:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/?p=2074"},"modified":"2020-02-27T19:53:13","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T19:53:13","slug":"six-brain-workouts-to-start-doing-right-now-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/es\/2020\/02\/six-brain-workouts-to-start-doing-right-now-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Seis entrenamientos cerebrales para empezar a hacer ahora mismo"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n Salud posible<\/a> <\/div>\n\n

Seis entrenamientos cerebrales para empezar a hacer ahora mismo<\/h1>\n\n
\n\n 27 de febrero de 2020<\/span>\n\n
\n\n Compartir<\/span>\n\n
\n\n \n \n \n<\/svg>\n \n <\/a>\n \n \n \n<\/svg>\n \n <\/a>\n \n \n \n<\/svg>\n \n <\/a>\n \n \n \n<\/svg>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n \n \n<\/svg>\n <\/a>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n
<\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n
\n\n<\/div>
\n

You\u2019ve probably heard the phrase \u201cuse it or lose it.\u201d Brain scientists used to believe that about adult humans\u2014that by midlife we produced no new neurons, and the best we could hope for was to hold onto the healthy brain cells we had. But investigaci\u00f3n reciente<\/a> suggests the truth is more complicated than that. By embracing a lifelong attitude of exploration and openness to new experiences, you can not only protect the brain you have, but also help it continue to grow throughout your life. These brain-healthy habits and fun brain workouts can help, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Play a Musical Instrument (Or Learn a Song by Heart)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n

Learning and practicing a musical instrument improves memory and mental alertness<\/a> and has been shown to change brain structure and function for the better. It also strengthens multisensory skills and increases blood flow in the left hemisphere of the brain. Using your vocal instrument can be great for your brain, too. Singing has been shown<\/a> to improve memory, thinking skills, and mood in early-stage Alzheimer\u2019s patients.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Learn Something New<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n

The benefits of learning on the brain aren\u2019t limited to music. Similar research has shown that learning any new knowledge or skill<\/a> has the potential to strengthen connections within your brain and improve memory and overall brain function. The more challenging the material, the better. So while you don\u2019t necessarily have to go back and get that doctoral degree, you may benefit from pushing yourself outside your comfort zone a bit.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Keep Those Balls in the Air<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n

We don\u2019t usually put juggling on our list of important life skills, but perhaps we should rethink that. A UK study followed a group of adults who learned to juggle over a six-week period<\/a> and found changes to the white matter of their brains, compared to a control group. Similar studies of athletes who play fast-moving ball sports<\/a>\u2014like soccer, or basketball\u2014have shown the extent to which these disciplines can affect the brain\u2019s capacity and wiring.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Be Artsy-Craftsy<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n

We tend to think of crafts like knitting or quilting as relaxing hobbies or enriching creative outlets. And they are that. But studies suggest<\/a> that they also promote good cognitive health and may help to reduce memory loss later in life. What\u2019s more, creative arts of all kinds<\/a> have been shown to be natural antidepressants, and to have mental health benefits similar to those of meditation.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Explore the Outdoors<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n

There are many\u00a0benefits to outdoor exercise<\/a>. We\u2019ve covered\u00a0a number of them<\/a>\u00a0here in past months. But what you may never have suspected are the many mental benefits to outdoor exercise, especially when you get off the beaten path. Hiking, as well as time in the wilderness in general, has been shown to have extra benefits in terms of\u00a0cognitive function<\/a>\u00a0y\u00a0mental health<\/a>. But even if you can\u2019t get out on the trail, exercise has been shown to be one of the best ways to stay mentally sharp through your whole life.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Get More Sleep<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>
\n

If all this talk of exercise and activity has you feeling just a bit worn out\u2014take heart. One of the very best things you can do for your brain is get plenty of good-quality sleep. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits<\/a> you\u2019d expect, researchers have found that sleep helps clear the brain of toxins<\/a> that build up in our cerebrospinal fluid during waking hours\u2014especially a toxin called Beta-amyloid that tends to build up in the brains of Alzheimer\u2019s patients. It\u2019s also great for your reflexes and focus.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
\n

Which is great news, if you\u2019re planning to polish those juggling skills.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n\n<\/div>
<\/div>
\n\n<\/div>