BrainFitness-related stories
Workplace Fitness: 3 fast ways to improve your memory
We've all experienced "brain failure," that embarrassing moment when you can't remember something totally mundane and regular -- like how to spell a simple word or where you parked your car. Having a better memory is something pretty much everybody would enjoy, especially when it comes to doing your best at work. Giving your noodle a boost is something you can do in as little as 30 seconds, so there's really no reason you can't fit an exercise or two into your daily routine. Try one of these exercises from Natural Health to get started:Time it takes: 30 seconds (do it at your desk!)
Taking a quality multivitamin is a good idea for most people but if you're looking to gain more memory power taking citicoline specifically might be the answer. Citicoline is a form of the B vitamin choline and helps replenish the nutrient called phosphatidyserine that is believed to enhance memory.
The Daily Turn On! Brain Squeeze
Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.While we all know our brain is a muscle, we rarely think about the fact that it needs to be exercised just like every other muscle in our body if we want it to perform at its optimal level and maintain youthful health. Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, a clinical professor of neurology at New York University School of Medicine and the co-founder of SharpBrains explains, "Exercising our brains systematically is as important as exercising our bodies," states Goldberg. He goes on to explain that the more we use our brain the more it continues to grow and expand it in functionality.
Leading scientists, such as Dr. Joe Dispenza -- author of Evolve Your Brain -- emphasizes the importance of learning something new each and every day. Just like our gym workouts, we want to continuously exercise the brain in new ways. From large tasks such as taking on the challenge of learning a new language or instrument to simple tasks like learning a word of the day, working out riddles, crossword puzzles or even video games, our brains require new stimuli in order to continue evolving.
Keep your brain and body in tip top shape by incorporating new and challenging exercises into your physical and mental workouts. If you typically run, take up yoga. If your usual routine involves a spin class switch over to an intense kick-boxing class. Optimize your workouts so they do double duty. Squeeze your muscles from head to toe!
Boomers believe in brain fitness
Healthy Aging, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products
You suddenly cannot recall your phone number. You find the phone in the fridge. Your new sandals are sitting in your kids' shoe tree. You're starting to Google the key phrases "early dementia" and "early Alzheimer's."
It's a frightening concept, losing your marbles. Many Boomers have faithfully been married to physical fitness for years, but as they gray around the temples they're starting to worry their noggin' may someday ask for a divorce. According to a recent study of older Boomers (born 1946-1955), a growing number believe in the plasticity of the brain -- calisthenics for the mind, if you will.
Beyond $1,000 genetic tests to examine risk factors such as Alzheimer's by 23andMe and deCODE genetics, there are also brain health products such as Posit Science's $395 computer cognitive exercises, MindFit's $149 assessment/personalized cognitive training software and Nintendo's $19.99 Brain Age 2 video game offering math/memory exercises. As I reported earlier, brain fitness is a young industry poised for big growth.
I can see it now, Boomers Aerobics where the instructor shouts cognitive training directives from the podium. How about a Cardio/Cranium Theatre challenging your memory from the big screen? Don't forget the monthly brain massage.
The Daily Turn On! Guitar Hero ... Addiction or Hobby?
Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.Actually, it may really be possible that this addiction, or hobby--still debating--is actually good for him. Studies suggest that playing video games can provide positive stimulation for the brain. According to a March 2007 study conducted by the University of Rochester, a group of college-aged people who played 30 hours of video games showed a marked increase in their ability to "track" specific objects in a busy scene, focus on multiple objects at the same time and process fast-changing visual information. Video games definitely improve eye-hand coordination as well. A study conducted by researchers at Iowa State University in August 2003 measured the motor skills, reaction time and hand-eye coordination of 33 doctors. Their research uncovered some interesting information: Doctors who habitually played video games made 37 percent fewer mistakes and performed tasks 27 percent faster during surgery than non-gaming doctors.
Scientists and game designers have begun to work in tandem to develop games that enhance specific neurological functions. As a matter of fact, S.M.A.R.T. BrainGames, a game develop to treat ADHD, utilizes a biofeedback sensory mechanism that measures brain activity during the game. The game measures the player's performance based on the player's brain wave activity. In theory, the game helps the brain waves to settle into a more "normal" pattern. Biofeedback technology is used to reduce excitement and stress, two factors that inhibit the brain's ability to focus and react quickly.
So ... Let's Rock & Roll!
Brain fitness industry young, but growing
Healthy Products and Reviews, Fitness, Reviews & Products
If I were a venture capitalist invested in a promising brain fitness software company, I might be inclined to pump even more money into efficacy research. More and more of the Baby Boomers fueling our fitness boom will be entering the land of Social Security checks, and we all know what it means to collect SS -- you're getting pretty old. No doubt, as dementia, memory loss and Alzheimer's disease knock on Boomers' doors, one gigantic demographic will likely be interested in purchasing proven brain fitness software.
Considered a young industry, the U.S. market for brain stimulation products has more than doubled to $225 million between 2005 and 2007. One health insurer, Humana, has buddied up with Posit Science to offer Posit's brain fitness programs to a niche of Medicare members at a discount. Not only for the older adult, Cogmed has even tested a brain stimulation program on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Some experts stress clinical data supporting the efficacy of these programs will be critical for a business model to succeed down the line. It'll be important for industry players to back up circumstantial evidence that brain stimulation software works in the short term -- at this point it's premature to conclude these programs actually lower the incidence of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease over the long term. Read what industry leaders have to say about the future of brain fitness in this interesting article. Perhaps someday in the retirement community you'll pencil in an hour for brain fitness after your round of golf or 50 laps in the pool.
