Written by: Dr. Mohita Shrivastava, Expert Contributor
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In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, there’s increasing focus on cognitive health. Our cognitive abilities are essential for thinking, learning, attention, focus, memory, creativity, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Cognitive functions are vital for performing everyday tasks, from decision-making to flexible thinking, problem-solving, and memory. While some may excel in sustained attention, focus, and creativity, others may shine through in areas like decision-making and flexible thinking.
Our brain regulates numerous functions, such as information processing, emotions, memory, intelligence, focus, mental flexibility, and creativity. To optimise brain function and connectivity, it’s essential to engage in activities and exercises that help prevent stress-related or age-related cognitive decline.
Scientific research shows that good cognitive function is closely linked to lifestyle choices and external factors, as well as to the regular use of cognitive exercises. Small changes can add up over time, and incorporating these into your routine can help improve cognitive abilities. Key external factors that promote cognitive health include a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, mindfulness, social connections, and stress management. On top of that, there are many cost-effective, simple exercises you can do to strengthen your cognition, requiring just a bit of initiative and effort.
Here are 10 exercises that can help boost your cognitive health:
Learning a language or improving your vocabulary: This helps build memory, improve comprehension, and enhance reasoning, sustained attention, and focus.
Learning new skills, such as playing a musical instrument, cooking, photography, or art: These activities improve concentration, memory, attention, and creativity.
Playing board games, like chess, carom, or card games: Board games improve mental flexibility, working memory, planning, and reasoning. Games like Trivial Pursuit boost factual memory, while Monopoly enhances financial and strategic planning skills.
Puzzles and crosswords: Crosswords, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles challenge the brain’s ability to recognise patterns, complete sequences, and solve problems. These activities help improve reasoning, planning, organisation, and memory.
Playing video games: Video games enhance attention, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving. Action-packed 3D games are particularly effective in improving attention, short-term memory, reaction time, and processing speed.
Dancing: As a form of exercise, dancing stimulates brain regions involved in rhythm and balance, helping with planning and organisation.
Practising Tai Chi: Tai Chi combines gentle body movements, rhythmic breathing, and meditation, which can help improve memory and enhance brain connectivity across various cognitive regions.
Visualisation: Creating mental images to represent information in different forms (such as pictures or animated scenes) helps organise information and improves decision-making.
Travelling and exploring new places: Whether near or far, travel exposes you to new sights, sounds, and experiences, creating new neural connections and improving memory circuitry.
Cultural adaptation: Engaging with or watching new films, plays, poetry readings, or museum tours presents stimulating ideas to the brain, strengthening neural connections and promoting mental flexibility.
It's important to periodically assess your cognitive strengths and areas that could use improvement. Creating a roadmap or a ‘mindful ledger’ for your cognitive goals can help you focus on the areas where you want to make the most progress. By employing the strategies discussed above, you can enhance your cognitive health and function, paving the way for a sharper, more creative mind. For business owners and leaders, investing in cognitive health isn’t just about personal well-being—it’s a strategic decision that can lead to more effective decision-making, improved problem-solving, and enhanced creativity, all of which are crucial for staying ahead in today’s competitive market.
About the Author
Dr. Mohita Shrivastava is an award-winning internationally trained neuroscientist and neuropsychologist, she is the founder of the Cognitome Program. Dr. Shrivastava holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from AIIMS, New Delhi, India & completed her collaborative Ph.D. research training from Kansas University Medical Centre, Kansas, USA. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Biomedical Sciences from University of Delhi and other in Applied Clinical Psychology from Annamalai University. She also holds an Advanced PG Diploma in Applied Neuropsychology from University of Bristol, United Kingdom. She has also completed a refresher skill enhancement training on "fMRI in Neuroscience Research'' organised by MGH Athinuola Martino's Centre for Brain Imaging in collaboration with Harvard University, MIT, Massachusetts, Boston, USA in 2021.
She has been involved in neuroscience and neuropsychology teaching, research, projects & outreach, cognitive skills restructuring/training and brain, mind & behaviour, guidance, counselling for more than 12 years. She has also published various research & review articles in international peer reviewed journals.
For more information visit: https://cognitomeprogram.me/
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