by Martin G Walker
The historical roots of New Year's resolutions can be traced all the way back to the ancient Babylonians. But the most apt historical symbol for the tradition is probably the Roman god Janus, his two faces looking back over past events and forward to the future. Where have we come from and where would we like to go. With the benefits of brain training programs becoming ever clearer, this is the perfect time to make brain exercise one of your New Year's resolutions.
Many well worn resolutions take us in the direction of better brain health - physical exercise, dieting, and quitting smoking. But brain training provides a direct and positive approach by which we can stimulate brain plasticity, improving memory, focus, and mental agility. One study even recorded increases in fluid intelligence for subjects who underwent demanding working-memory training.
A mounting body of research disproves the long-held assumption that the adult brain can't grow and change. Study after study has found that it's possible to stimulate new neural growth and for the brain to rewire existing connections to adapt to new conditions. Brain exercise harnesses these concepts so that we can refresh and sharpen our mental processes.
<b>Brain Training Benefits</b>
<u>Academics:</u> Good brain training software may be one of the most effective and affordable test prep programs you can buy. Test prep typically helps you increase your test scores but won't help you do better in school, whereas brain training can boost your attention and general problem-solving ability. And if you have a diagnosed learning dysfunction, it's possible that a targeted brain exercise will help. Where possible, many learning specialists have begun to use brain training in preference to accommodations as a way to address a deficit directly rather than working around it.
<u>Career Improvement:</u> If your career involves creative problem-solving and focused mental activity brain training provides a way to stay sharp. Modern workplace demands tend to disrupt the brain's ability to form memories and stimulate new cell growth. Brain training can significantly increase effectiveness and success in the workplace.
<u>Mental Health And Well-Being:</u> When we reach our forties, our brains begin to decline if we don't do anything to prevent it. But a regular schedule of brain training helps reduce memory loss, and lowers our risk of developing Alzheimer's symptoms and dementia. Not only that, but recent studies indicate that we can combat depression through stimulating neural growth, an important aspect of an effective brain training program.
<u>Self-Improvement:</u> Although we would expect brain training to help us think more clearly, it's not as well known that brain training can improve our self-esteem and even our musical aptitude. But the brain commands all aspects of thinking and emotion, even those not directly related to quantitative thinking. For those on a journey toward improved mind, body, and spirit, brain training offers a new world of possibilities.
<b>Sticking With Your New Resolution</b>
Studies have shown that the odds don't favor resolution success. Fewer than 15% of us will follow through on our New Year's resolutions. However, men can increase their chances of success by setting measurable targets and milestones. And women do better if they make their goals public and engage their friends in helping them keep to their resolutions. Brain training perhaps has an advantage over some resolutions in that it can become a little addictive by creating self-competition. It also lends itself to measurable targets if the training program records our stats, and to public goals if it allows us to track our scores through an on-line community.
The brain training marketplace can be a little confusing at first. There are many products out there and it's not always clear which ones work. Some training programs provide don't require much focus and attention and won't stimulate brain plasticity. Others might work extremely well but cost several hundred dollars and demand a significant time commitment.
Check out a program's scientific basis before you buy. Make sure that the vendor sets out clearly what the program will achieve and in what time period. And figure out whether and when you will be able to make time for the training in your schedule. (Typically, you'll need to work on it when you're feeling relatively fresh and rested.)
Brain training could be the best New Year's resolution you'll ever make. With the right level of commitment it can bring about a big jump in mental ability and set us on the road to long-term brain health.
Scientist, author, and technologist, Martin G. Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His <a href="http://www.mindsparke.com">brain training</a> company Mind Evolve Software publishes free information on the field of neuroscience and brain training as well as effective and affordable <a href="http://www.mindsparke.com">working memory training</a>.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Brain Fitness Training - The Smarter Resolution
Author: Martin G Walker
Email: martin@mindevolvesoftware.com
Keywords: brain fitness,brain training,working memory training,health,fitness,learning,education,brain plasticity,brain exercises,working-memory,learning dysfunctions,homeschool
Word Count: 755
Category: Homeschooling
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