Exercising to work the brain.

Surely you have heard that crosswords, sudoku, wordplay, chess, card games are good for memory. No, this is not grandma's talk. According to neurologist Célia Roesler, a member of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, such activities really are a real gym for the brain. Doing reasoning exercises at least once a day helps in the renewal of neural connections. It is as if the brain is a muscle and "workout" stimulates the organ to create new connections between neurons, increasing the number of roads through which information can travel within the brain. "In a simplified way, with every word learned and discovered, a new" drawer "of information is created in the brain of the individual. And the more this habit of hobbies is stimulated, the more nerve cells will be required and more synapses will be made. The daily reading of anything, be it a magazine, a newspaper, a book, is also an excellent exercise, "says the expert. Neurologist Ivan Okamoto, from the Institute of Memory of Unifesp (Federal University of São Paulo), adds that such habits also help increase cognitive reserve. In practice, this means that he will reach, for example, at age 80, and will have a good "stock of information," which will allow the brain to make associations where necessary. "Sometimes the person wants to say a word, but he does not remember her exactly. But if he has this reservation, he can find a synonym quickly. Hence the importance of the stimuli. "But let it be clear that it is not only these hobby games that will account for leaving you with a" spotted "brain. When these games become routine, the brain resorts to existing nerve connections, rather than making new ones. Therefore, other activities should also be taken into account, such as: taking a course in anything that gives pleasure, learning to play an instrument, dancing. "It's important to do things that stimulate the brain so that new areas are triggered and trained," Okamoto summarizes. One tip that the neurologist gives to all his patients who complain of forgetfulness is to learn a new language. In this way, the individual will exercise various forms of language and memory. In addition, the learning process involves the need for concentration and constant appeal to memory.

Dr. Célia Roesler also emphasizes the importance of physical exercises, especially aerobics, such as running, walking, cycling, to maintain memory. Although they do not exercise the brain directly, daily practice helps improve the cardiovascular system (they can prevent microinfarction in small vessels in the brain, which would impair oxygenation in the region). In addition, physical exercises release substances that prevent neuronal degeneration. Having a healthy diet is also part of the game. Choose to include in your diet mainly grapes and tomato (10 grapes and one tomato daily). These foods have, respectively, resveratrol (a powerful antioxidant that improves cerebral revascularization) and lycopene (an antioxidant that is a brain stimulant).

Here are some exercises to refine your memory: 1) Make different and alternative ways when you go to work; 2) Try to memorize what you need to buy at the grocery store instead of writing a list. Use memory techniques or mentally separate the products you need; 3) Dress yourself with your eyes closed. When picking up clothes in the closet, with your eyes closed, stimulate the tactile part and look for the part you want; 4) Read a lot and daily. Not only that: talk to someone about what you read. Source: Drauzio Varella.