Genetic factors certainly play a very important role in preserving a productive and healthy brain, but there are a lot of ways to improve our cognitive abilities and boost our memory.
The human brain can continually develop regardless of age or the environment in which we live. The only condition to respect is to adopt hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.
According to Marian Diamond, a pioneering scientist in the field of modern neuroscience, “With appropriate stimulation and an enriched environment, the human brain can continue to develop. » This is called neuroplasticity. This is the ability of the brain to continue to develop and adapt despite factors related to age, aging or mental pressure. Even as adults, our brains continue to create neurons that, if properly stimulated, can strengthen our mental abilities.
In his book Memory Rescue: Supercharge Your Brain, Reverse Memory Loss, and Remember What Matters Most, Daniel Amen offers a complete guide to training the different parts of your brain by working on its 5 cerebral zones: the prefrontal cortex, the 3 lobes: temporal, parietal and occipital, and finally the cerebellum.
The frontal cortex or the CEO of the brain
The brain has four main lobes: frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital. The last two perceive our environment, while the first two, where the frontal cortex is located, analyze the sensory information on which we base our daily decisions.
According to Daniel Amen, the frontal cortex is the CEO of the brain because it “allows us to learn from our mistakes and organize our days. » When healthy, we are emotionally stable and demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence.
On the other hand, when it deteriorates, impulsivity, disorganization, poor time management, and lack of empathy surface.
How to exercise your frontal cortex?
- Crosswords
- Speaking competitions
- STR gamesategy like chess
- Meditation. “It is perhaps the most powerful stimulant of the prefrontal cortex. It improves concentration, judgment and impulse control. »
- Muscle strengthening combined with a sporting activity (brisk walking for example)
The temporal lobe: The memory center of the brain
The temporal lobe plays a crucial role in sensitivity and memory. It is in fact at the origin of the production of new neurons. According to research cited in Daniel Amen’s book, the hippocampus can produce up to 700 new cells every day if we exercise, while including omega-3 in our diet or if we practice mental strengthening exercises.
However, in the absence of a healthy and balanced environment, the temporal lobe may have difficulty strengthening. Damage to this area can lead to memory problems, difficulty reading, or worse, mental instability.
How to exercise it?
- 3D video games
- Memorizing poems
- Playing a musical instrument
- Physical exercise
The parietal lobe: The GPS of the brain
The parietal lobe is involved in the perception of space. It is, among other things, responsible for our sense of orientation and our ability to distinguish our right hand from the left. People with problems in this area very often get lost. Worse still, they may even deny their problems and refrain from trying to solve them.
How to exercise it?
- Sudoku
- Golf
- The dance
- Reading maps without GPS
The occipital lobe: The eye of the brain
Located at the back of the brain, it is responsible for visual functions. Light, shadow, colors and basic shapes are processed at this level. If there is a problem in this area, you will have difficulty discerning colors, faces and anything else related to vision.
How to exercise it?
- Golf
- Optical illusion exercises
- 3D movies
- Virtual reality (VR) experiences
The cerebellum: The coordinator of the brain
Although the cerebellum “represents only 10% of the volume of the brain, it contains 50% of its neurons”. It plays a role in learning, language, judgment and coordination of thoughts. If damaged, a person’s thinking, speaking, and movements can be slowed, like playing an online game with a poor internet connection.
How to exercise it?
- Coordination games like ping pong, dancing, yoga, etc.
- basketball
Daniel Amen’s message to boost your cognitive abilities
Daniel Amen’s message is simple: we must exercise all areas of our brain to benefit from its benefits. To do this, we recommend that you:
- play sudoku every day to animate the parietal lobe,
- learn a new language to activate your prefrontal cortex,
- memorize a poem to promote stimulation of the temporal lobe,
- watch 3D films to strengthen your visual functions and the occipital lobe,
- play table tennis to activate the powers of your cerebellum.
One final warning is in order: if you do just one activity, your brain will be much less stimulated. As Daniel Amen points out, “The best mental exercises involve learning new knowledge and doing activities you’ve never done before. » In other words, no matter what you do, look for new and stimulating activities, your brain will thank you.
