The best brain exercises to sharpen your mind

The importance of brain health

You might not know where to start when it comes to brain training. It may feel difficult to monitor your progress too, since the results won't be visual the way that they are after you frequent the gym and build muscle.

However, Michelle Reshef, founder of Dementia Prevention UK, stresses the importance of brain health by encouraging you to look at your reflection in a mirror and note what you see.

"As you move through life, you spot changes in your physical appearance. You might notice changes in your face, for example. So, your brain has also been through changes as time has passed - you just can't see them.

Just as you make an effort to preserve your outer shell - perhaps by using a cream to prevent wrinkles - you should go to the same efforts to protect your brain as it ages."

Stretching your brain

Reshef says that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, being sociable and being aware of your mental health are important to ensure your brain is active and healthy, but you should also make sure that you stretch your brain.

The two basic ways to stretch your brain are:

• Make sure your brain is stimulated.

• Practise flexible thinking.

"Make sure that your brain is being stimulated frequently. Most of us keep a busy brain, doing more of the same. Routine keeps the brain healthy and busy but not stimulated. Therefore, at least once a day you should introduce something new and exciting to your brain. If something is challenging for you, or feels different, then it's helping to increase brain activity since you're adjusting to something you aren't used to."

Flexible thinking

"The second important element in maintaining a healthy brain is to adopt flexible thinking. You can do this from time to time by analysing a situation from as many points as you can," suggests Reshef.

Reshef also stresses the importance of creativity, and recommends creating something new every day.

Nurturing your brain's creativity can help you become better at problem solving, more focused, and more self-aware - it can help you find clarity when your mind feels cluttered.

Patient picks for Memory loss and dementia

Brain and nerves

Is it dementia or just forgetfulness?

I've never met a patient over 50 (and sometimes earlier) who doesn't worry about dementia. Forgetfulness is common, especially as you get older. But should you be laughing it off or seeing your doctor?

by Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, FRCGP

Brain and nerves

Causes of memory loss and dementia

Everybody forgets things from time to time. In general, the things that you tend to forget most easily are the things that you feel do not matter as much.

by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

The importance of brain exercises

"The ability to be flexible in your thinking is a necessary skill for dealing with life's inevitable changes. It helps you adjust more easily to new circumstances, challenges and situations as they arise. It also helps your brain to find alternative solutions to problems," says Reshef.

She adds that once you start doing a brain workout each day, you will see improvement in:

• Cognitive ability.

• Memory.

• Focus and concentration.

• Meeting targets.

• Teamwork ability.

• Leadership skills.

• High performance.

• Good mental health.

"A brain that is constantly searching for new solutions and that is stimulated is a brain that develops new connections. The more connections you have in your brain, the more protected your brain is. It also becomes more capable in all aspects of life and lowers your risk of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia," says Reshef.

Can physical exercise also be beneficial for the mind?

As well as brain-training exercises, physical exercise can also provide psychological benefits.
You may know that physical exercise increases dopamine and decreases the production of stress-related hormones, but few know of the benefits physical activity has on overall brain health - including factors such as improved focus and better memory, both in young and older adults.

Exercising promotes new brain cells, stimulates communication between the cells, and prevents loss of brain volume as you age.

The indirect benefits of exercise are just as important for brain development and health. They include:

• Reduced anxiety.

• Stress.

• Better sleep.

• Improved mood.

It's recommended you do 20-30 minutes of daily moderate-intensity aerobic activity like jogging, swimming, or cycling for improved brain health - around 150 minutes a week.

The simplest way to incorporate this into your daily routine is to get outside in nature for a walk every day.