You know the old adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it”? Well, that couldn’t be more true of one of the most crucial organs in your body: the brain.
According to Neurosculpting founder and DailyOM course creator Lisa Wimberger, “If you’re not training your brain, it is struggling to stay status quo. That’s why every single human is in need of brain training.” Wimberger adds that exercising the brain is just as important as exercising the body, if not more so.
On the flip side, when you are actively training your brain with specific exercises, you’re creating new neural pathways that allow you to increase your overall mental acuity, supercharge your focus, protect your mind from age-related decline, and more.
Interested in learning more? Check out Brain Exercises for Sharper Thinking
Meet Your Teacher: Lisa Wimberger
At the age of 15, Wimberger was hit by lightning and suffered life-threatening seizures for decades afterward. “I flatlined on many occasions, and conventional methods and meditation weren’t helping,” she says. “It wasn’t until I learned about my nervous system and neuroplasticity that I actually created the protocol that helped me rewire the seizure pattern and break through.”
It’s been nearly two decades since the inception of this protocol she named Neurosculpting — a fusion of brain science and mindfulness that can overwrite mental beliefs. “I was drawn to neuroscience out of necessity, trying to come up with answers doctors couldn’t — and that is why neuroplasticity is my life’s work.”
Now the founder of the Neurosculpting Institute and co-founder of the NeuroPraxis app, Wimberger has written seven books on neuroplasticity and stress management, and works tirelessly to share her emotional regulation method with thousands all over the globe.
What Are Brain Exercises?
Per Wimberger, “These are any kinds of brain-stimulating, engaging things you can do physically, mentally, or even emotionally to excite your executive command center — which is the front of your brain — and get it neuroplastically awakened so that it sharpens itself, hones itself, and gets faster, quicker, and better.”
We’re not just talking about crossword puzzles and Sudoku, either. “Examples of effective brain exercises include learning a new instrument, learning a new kind of dance, reading books on topics you’ve never read before, or learning a language,” Wimberger explains. Choosing the right brain exercises for you comes down to personal preference — and what you enjoy doing — so you’ll actually want to engage in said activity on a consistent basis.
Key Things to Know About Brain Training
- There are many different types of brain exercises. “Some of these can be fun and playful, like puzzles,” Wimberger notes. “There are also somatic exercises, balance exercises, and mental exercises.”
- The goal is to find the sweet spot of challenge for the brain. “You want just enough challenge to engage you, but not enough to shut you down,” Wimberger says. Essentially, making the most of your brain exercises is all about finding the sweet spot between intrigue and difficulty, so you’re inspired to do them again and again.
- Brain exercises are anything but time-consuming — or boring. “They can be very quick and playful and fun,” Wimberger says. “It can be as simple as doing balancing exercises for 30 seconds or very engaging, long exercises like doing a 1,000-piece puzzle. Either way, there is a high impact when you engage your brain.”
- Brain training is suitable for all populations. “If someone has a brain that’s intact, meaning they haven’t had a stroke, then any kind of brain exercise is generally pretty fun and accessible,” Wimberger notes. “If you’ve had a stroke or something like Parkinson’s or have any neuro issues, then you may need something a little bit more tailored.” If this is the case, be sure to talk to your doctor about the best approach for you.
Why Are Brain Exercises Important?
In a nutshell: “When we’re using the brain in a focused way, it gets better at doing that — and then our cognitive ability improves, our memory improves, and that’s kind of what we need as we age,” Wimberger says.
How Brain Exercises Can Benefit Your Overall Wellness and Genius
Here’s a handful of ways that brain training exercises can boost your health and wellness, help you age gracefully and confidently, and even make you smarter.
1. They improve your memory at any age.
While memory loss is considered a normal part of aging, it doesn’t have to be. Similar to how a workout makes your muscles stronger, brain exercises can bulk up your memory.
According to researchers who studied the effects of neuroplasticity-based exercises in people with bipolar disorder in 2017, all it took was some simple brain exercises to bolster cognitive skills, including memory, executive function, and processing speed.
2. They increase overall cognitive function and protect your mind from age-related decline.
Engaging our brain in a specific way can enhance every aspect of our cognition, Wimberger says, which isn’t just key to longevity, but also to the quality of life we experience as we age.
In fact, mounting research points to a reduced risk of dementia as a result of brain exercises. For example, one randomized controlled study pointed to a form of brain exercise known as speed training as most effective for decreased dementia risk.
3. They promote mood regulation and help decrease depression.
When we think of brain training, we might not necessarily think of our emotional health, yet brain exercises can significantly impact mood and emotional resilience.
In 2018, research out of the University of Cambridge found that brain training exercises helped to diminish symptoms, such as contamination fears, in individuals with OCD. Another 2018 study linked cognitive training exercises to decreased depression and an increased ability to emotionally regulate in people who suffered a traumatic brain injury.
4. They enhance focused attention.
In order to do anything well, whether that’s completing a project at work, sitting through a lecture, or simply doing our grocery shopping, we need a mind that’s focused and alert. And according to Wimberger, brain training can help in a big way.
And research supports this. In a study, the authors concluded that brain training exercises support executive function — the skills that allow you to get things done, including the ability to focus your attention — in aging adults.
5. They keep you sharp and adaptable.
In this on-the-go, high-tech world of ours, it’s important to be on the ball and and stay open to embracing new ideas. Working your brain helps to fine-tune your mental reflexes, Wimberger says.
Case in point: A randomized clinical study from 2018 linked cognitive training exercises with increased brain efficiency — meaning individuals were able to complete tasks at an accelerated pace.
6. They encourage play and help to foster creativity.
Brain exercises are meant to be playful and fun, Wimberger says. Believe it or not, replicating a dance on TikTok counts as brain training, as does your daily Wordle or signing up for an online course in a subject that’s new to you.
One systematic review and meta-analysis showed that children learn more rapidly during play, not to mention that play fosters creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. So when you engage in fun brain exercises, it’s a win-win, boosting your cognitive ability and creative prowess.
The Bottom Line
Simple brain exercises can significantly and positively alter your overall health and well-being at any age. It’s never too late to get started and experience the vast benefits of honing your mind on a regular basis.
As with most things, consistency is key — and a little effort can go a long way toward sharper thinking, better memory, and a feeling of greater balance.
