Do you want to improve your cognitive abilities? Are you not quite sure how to go about it? We will provide you with all the necessary information so that you can truly understand what it's all about!
Cognitive stimulation: basic knowledge to have?
The brain is a muscle that still needs to be trained daily for you to have effective cognitive abilities. Of course, you can definitely enhance your cognitive abilities in the long term.
Why? Simply because the brain needs training: the more you train it, the more it will be able to see its cognitive abilities increased. It is important to take into account that there are several brain mechanisms:
- Neurons that are stimulated and active receive more oxygen.
- The stimulation of neurons also allows for an increase in the number of synaptic connections (connections between neurons that allow for the transmission of information).
- Active neurons secrete the essential nerve growth factor for their development.
- Neurons can regenerate in adulthood.
Ultimately, the more active your brain is, the more likely it is to increase its cognitive abilities over time. Practical and effective, then!
Stimulating your brain improves your cognitive abilities
However, if you want to have more developed cognitive abilities, it is really important to stimulate your brain daily. As we mentioned in the previous section, the brain is still a muscle in its own right. Therefore, it needs to be trained if you really want it to integrate effective cognitive abilities.
Moreover, regardless of your age, brain training seems really essential. Indeed, just because you are young and healthy does not mean you should neglect this area; on the contrary.
But to train the brain, you need to know which cognitive abilities to improve.
- Attention: this allows us to focus on important information and eliminate all stimuli that may distract us.
- Memory: this cognitive function allows us to remember the names of objects, what we need to do during the day, or to retain the information we receive throughout the day.
- Language: the brain plays a significant role in language abilities. It is thanks to the brain's skills that we can express ourselves correctly or understand what others are saying.
- Planning: organizing objects, the flow of the day, or an activity is possible thanks to this cognitive function.
- Perception: to interact with the environment, it is important to recognize objects, assess distances, and gather information from the objects around us.
Why improve cognitive functions?
With age, certain cognitive functions will become weaker. However, if we train our cognitive functions, we keep our brain alert. This helps maintain a good intellectual level even in old age.
Additionally, seniors may be affected by a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's's or Parkinson's. These diseases impact cognitive functions, and the person may experience difficulties with memory, attention, language, or planning. Regular cognitive training can slow down the degradation caused by the disease and allow the person to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.
Having good cognitive functions, and thus maintaining independence, is also very important socially. You can feel comfortable in different environments and engage in various activities. By going out, you can maintain social ties with your family and loved ones.
Now that you know which cognitive functions to work on, let's see how to do it!
How to train your brain to improveyour cognitive abilities?
When you want to train your brain to have better cognitive abilities, it is perfectly possible to choose from different methods. You should select an activity based on the cognitive function you want to improve. It is also necessary to find an activity that matches your interests. Training your brain doesn't have to be boring; on the contrary, it can be fun!
Here are some examples that should certainly help clarify things for you:
- Meditation: in addition to relaxing you, it will allow your brain to focus on a particular element. Thus, you can easily enhance your memory and cognitive abilities, which is quite good news. Meditation also helps erase negative thoughts. This allows you to be more motivated and serene afterward.
- Exercise your brain every day: whether you are old or not, it is important to do a bit of brain gymnastics every day. This significantly improves its cognitive abilities. Quite practical, then! Even without thinking about it, we use our brains all the time (when we go grocery shopping, we have to remember the shopping list; when we meet someone, we have to associate their face with a name; or when we drive, we need to pay attention to the road as well as to other cars).
- Work on your memory daily: this can be done simply and enjoyably through games. For example, with the Joe app, which features over 30 cultural games: general knowledge quizzes, musical quizzes, proverbs, or even reflex and attention games, there is something for everyone! With Joe, you train your memory while having fun, and you can even challenge your friends.
The CLINT app, designed for rehabilitation after a Stroke
A brain training program including over 30 adapted memory games, for the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, for use after a Stroke, or to stimulate memory on a daily basis.
Track the player's evolution and progress within the app and customize the training as you go.
- A simple interface,
- 3 levels of difficulty per game,
- No WiFi required
Try the app for free for 1 week, on all tablets and smartphones, Android and Apple!
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Sudoku
The classic game of sudoku, everyone knows it! But why do sudoku on paper when you can have infinite grids on the tablet? Sudoku allows you to work on attention and logic. The application Clint offers 3 levels of difficulty.
Grandma's Cooking
Train your memory by recalling the ingredients or steps of a recipe. The images will help you and make the game suitable for people with cognitive fragilities.
To make the activity more fun, you can try to reproduce the recipe. With this game, you work on memory, visual memory, and sequencing.
Brainstorming
Put the words in order to create the proverb. When talking with someone, the order of words is very important. With this game, you work on language, sentence structuring, and semantic memory.
In conclusion, it is possible to improve a person's cognitive abilities. You just need to train your brain regularly. You can find many examples of exercises on the Internet.
The benefits of cognitive training on mental health
Improving cognitive abilities is not limited to better memory or increased attention. Cognitive training also has beneficial effects on overall mental health. Here are some notable advantages:
- Stress reduction: Games and cognitive exercises can help reduce stress by providing distraction and promoting relaxation.
- Improvement of mood: Engaging in stimulating activities can release neurotransmitters like dopamine, which are linked to better mood.
- Prevention of depression: An active brain can reduce the risk of developing mood disorders, including depression.
- Strengthening resilience: Cognitive training can help better manage the challenges and trials of daily life.
Different approaches to train your brain
There are several methods to stimulate cognitive abilities, each with its own advantages. Here are some popular approaches:
- Board games: Games like chess or Scrabble can improve strategy and vocabulary.
- Mobile applications: Apps like Clint offer various exercises to work on different cognitive functions.
- Artistic activities: Drawing, painting, or playing an instrument stimulates creativity and coordination.
- Physical exercises: Regular physical activity promotes blood circulation to the brain, which is essential for its proper functioning.
Memory games: a fun and effective tool
Memory games are particularly effective for improving information retention and concentration. Here are some types of games that can be integrated into your routine:
- Card games: Games like Memory, where you have to find pairs, are excellent for working on visual memory.
- Puzzles: Puzzles stimulate logic and problem-solving ability.
- Interactive quizzes: Participating in online quizzes or general knowledge games can strengthen memory while being fun.
- Memory applications: Using apps dedicated to memory games can add an interactive and engaging dimension to cognitive training.
Integrating cognitive training into your daily life
To get the most out of your cognitive training, it is important to integrate it regularly into your daily life. Here are some practical tips:
- Schedule regular sessions: Set a time each day or week to dedicate to cognitive activities.
- Vary activities: Alternate between different types of games and exercises to engage various cognitive functions.
- Involve your loved ones: Playing with friends or family members can make training more enjoyable and motivating.
- Evaluate your progress: Keep a journal of your activities and note your progress to stay motivated and adjust your goals.
