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As we age, our body and our mind grow older and do not work as well as in youth. Of course there are many techniques and exercises that promise to keep the mind in good condition, but the mind can also be rejuvenated to some extent. Mental exercises help not only to improve memory but also protect a person from diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Color Words
A great mental exercise is a game called „Color Words“. It consists of having the names of different colors written on paper. To make it not so simple, each word is written in a completely different color than the one it represents. A person must read aloud the color in which the word is written. You will find out that it is not easy right away with the first few words.
It is good to vary the sheet with the words so that the sequence is not memorized. If at first you cannot read the colors, do not give up. The human brain works in a complicated way; while its left hemisphere focuses on pronouncing the word, the right hemisphere recognizes the color first. With regular exercise, concentration and the cooperation of both hemispheres improve.
Schulteho tabulka
Another exercise that improves the mind’s condition is the Schulte table. Keep the number table about 30–35 cm from your face. Fix your gaze on the numbers in the center of the table and do not move your head or eyes. Using peripheral vision, try to find all the numbers from 1 to 25 in the table. This exercise develops peripheral vision and effectively improves attention and reading speed.
Finger exercises
You can also train the mind with your fingers. It improves the cooperation of both hemispheres. Fold the fingers of one hand into the „V“ sign (the index and middle fingers are spread and stick up, the thumb covers the bent ring finger and little finger). Fold the other hand into the „OK“ sign (join the thumb and index finger, the other fingers are upright). Then swap the signs on both hands at the same time. Practice until the exchange happens completely smoothly.
In the next exercise take two sheets of paper and two pencils – one in each hand.
With one hand draw a circle and with the other at the same moment draw a square or a triangle. If you want, you can also choose other shapes or words with the same number of letters.
Try to train your mind every day, whether with these exercises or by, for example, changing your route to work or to the store. By keeping your mind in shape you will prevent the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, or at least significantly delay their onset.
