Who Needs The Gym When You’ve Got Neurobics?

What is Neurobics? It’s a system of brain exercises developed by Lawrence Katz, Ph. D. which is designed to improve brain function and spur cognitive development. The great thing about neurobics is that no special equipment is needed – instead the exercises are incorporated with daily activities you already do.

We do certain things habitually, (I lift my glass with the same hand, sleep on the same side of my bed and step out the door with the same foot.) and making small changes challenges the brain in such a way that it stimulates new cell growth.

Take a few minutes and go through your own daily routine.

• Do you eat with the same hand?
• Sit in the same area of your office?
• Do you drive the same route to work?
• Do you shop at a particular grocery store?

By switching things up, you are forcing your brain to snap out of auto-pilot. It actually has to pay attention and work – and this not only strengthens the neural connections, it builds new ones.

Here are three simple steps from the Neurobics system:

Change the way you go about a daily habit. This change should involve one or more of your senses, such as touch or sight.

Focus on that change with your full attention, taking note of how different it feels to switch things up.

Continue altering the way you do daily activities. For example, if you started lifting your glass with your non-dominant hand, keep doing so on a regular basis to continue exercising your brain.

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Change the location of a hobby or daily activity. For example, if you have a favorite reading chair, head to the park next time you want to read a book.
• Buy candles with scents that you don’t normally choose. I like vanilla, so I chose a peppermint scented candle instead. Simply lighting the candle will cause your brain to wake up and take notice.
• Close your eyes the next time you enter your home. Feel around for the keys and try to use senses other than sight to pick the right key and insert it into the lock.
• Learn Braille, or pay attention to the way small items feel underneath your fingertips. Using your fingers like this will go a long way in improving how your brain responds to small stimuli.

Start small and try to add new twists each week. There’s no real time or money commitment with these exercises, so they’re perfect if you’re new to the whole brain training industry or if you just want an easy way to give your brain a little work out.

Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve got a particular neurobic exercise you use.

 
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