Whole Brain-Boosting Exercises and Activities
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We all know about whole body workouts. Exercises for the brain, cranial callisthenics and whole brain gymnastics are part of a new phenomenon in healthy living. With Alzheimers Disease on the rise, along with an ageing population, elderly people are encouraged to exercise their brains. Programs have also been developed for schoolchildren and to boost employee performance in major companies. There are even brain exercises for babies. The efficacy of brain exercise for brain-damaged patients continues to be explored.
Scientists have not yet fully endorsed the idea that the brain needs exercising just as the body does. Neurologists have criticized programs for being based on simplistic ideas about the way the brain works, even though some scientific studies have suggested that they may sometimes yield positive results. People who have tried brain exercises regularly report improvements in memory function and concentration. Whole brain exercises, as the name suggests, do not aim to develop abilities that are believed to be localized in one or other side of the brain. Instead they focus on either improving the joint functioning of both hemispheres, or on stimulating multiple regions of the brain.
Cross Crawls
Kinesiology is the study of movement and its relation to the nervous system. The cross crawl exercise depends on the idea that when we are born our nervous systems are homolateral. The right brain controls movement on the left of the body and vice versa. The cross crawl uses kinesiological principles and recommends rhythmic movement to enhance brain lateralization.
In adults, it is said to help integrate the functioning of the two sides of the brain, speeding communication through the corpus callosum, improving dyslexia and boosting the immune system, amongst other benefits. It involves alternately touching the right hand (standing) or elbow (seated) to the left knee and vice versa, 25 times each or for 2 minutes.
Lazy Eights (Infinity Sign)
Lazy Eights are said to exercise both sides of the brain, with benefits including enhanced attention, hand-eye co-ordination and emotional wellbeing, as well as reduced stress. With a pen and paper, using first your dominant, then your non-dominant hand, draw the infinity sign (the number eight lying on its side) for 1-2 minutes daily.
Another kinesiology exercise geared towards working out both right and left brain hemispheres is known as Lazy Eights It is believed to benefit concentration and reduce stress while enhancing mood and hand-eye co-ordination. You will need a pencil and paper. Using right and left hands alternately, draw the infinity sign (a sideways figure of eight) for approximately two minutes. Repeat daily.
Other Exercises
Hook-ups for calming, energy yawns, brain button activation, visual tracking exercises and other activities are promoted as brain boosters. Ordinary activities like juggling may also be good exercise for multiple parts of the brain and a combination of Sudoku, crosswords and other puzzles also contributes to a varied brain workout that will at the very least stave off boredom and pass the time.
Scientists have not yet fully endorsed the idea that the brain needs exercising just as the body does. Neurologists have criticized programs for being based on simplistic ideas about the way the brain works, even though some scientific studies have suggested that they may sometimes yield positive results. People who have tried brain exercises regularly report improvements in memory function and concentration. Whole brain exercises, as the name suggests, do not aim to develop abilities that are believed to be localized in one or other side of the brain. Instead they focus on either improving the joint functioning of both hemispheres, or on stimulating multiple regions of the brain.
Cross Crawls
Kinesiology is the study of movement and its relation to the nervous system. The cross crawl exercise depends on the idea that when we are born our nervous systems are homolateral. The right brain controls movement on the left of the body and vice versa. The cross crawl uses kinesiological principles and recommends rhythmic movement to enhance brain lateralization.
In adults, it is said to help integrate the functioning of the two sides of the brain, speeding communication through the corpus callosum, improving dyslexia and boosting the immune system, amongst other benefits. It involves alternately touching the right hand (standing) or elbow (seated) to the left knee and vice versa, 25 times each or for 2 minutes.
Lazy Eights (Infinity Sign)
Lazy Eights are said to exercise both sides of the brain, with benefits including enhanced attention, hand-eye co-ordination and emotional wellbeing, as well as reduced stress. With a pen and paper, using first your dominant, then your non-dominant hand, draw the infinity sign (the number eight lying on its side) for 1-2 minutes daily.
Another kinesiology exercise geared towards working out both right and left brain hemispheres is known as Lazy Eights It is believed to benefit concentration and reduce stress while enhancing mood and hand-eye co-ordination. You will need a pencil and paper. Using right and left hands alternately, draw the infinity sign (a sideways figure of eight) for approximately two minutes. Repeat daily.
Other Exercises
Hook-ups for calming, energy yawns, brain button activation, visual tracking exercises and other activities are promoted as brain boosters. Ordinary activities like juggling may also be good exercise for multiple parts of the brain and a combination of Sudoku, crosswords and other puzzles also contributes to a varied brain workout that will at the very least stave off boredom and pass the time.
About the Author:
Ready to find your own balance? Deborah Lindholm is a Serenity Empowerment Coach that shows you how to awaken your Inner Power Source to live an empowered life every single day. Download free pre-recorded telecasts, grab your 5 Simple Steps To Get What You Really, Really Want report and more here: Free Stuff at Serenity Matters
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