You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks…or Can You? Boosting Cognitive Skills in Adults
Cognitive skills are the tools your brain uses to remember, reason, think, maintain attention, problem-solve, read, and learn. They help you process new information, then retrieve and use that information when it is needed. Developing and strengthening your cognitive skills helps your brain work through this process faster and more efficiently.
In childhood, our cognitive skills are a vital part of learning and processing information as we grow. But strong cognitive skills are equally important in adulthood. Boosting cognitive skills in adults can increase efficiency and productivity at work, improve memory, and aid in learning new things, among other benefits.
Whether you’re considering advanced education, preparing for a new job, or looking to improve your memory, cognitive skills training can help you do those things better. Here are a few simple ways to boost your cognitive skills.
Maintain Good Physical Health
Get regular exercise. Staying physically active as you age can help you build strength, boost energy, improve balance, prevent or delay many chronic health issues, and reduce depression…all factors that affect your cognitive health as well as your physical health.
In addition, drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet. High-fat or high-sodium foods can lead to health problems like heart disease and diabetes, which can harm the brain. A high-fiber, low-fat diet can help prevent these health issues.
In addition, don’t skip regular checkups and recommended health screenings. Work with your doctor to manage any chronic health issues you have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or depression. And check with your doctor or pharmacist regarding the potential side effects of any medications you are taking, such as problems with sleep, memory, and other brain functions.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can affect memory and put you at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Lowering stress levels can help reduce that risk and improve your focus and attention span. Learning to manage stress is a key component of maintaining a healthy brain.
Try to incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily life, such as walking or other exercise, listening to music, mindful breathing or meditation, journaling, and mindful movement like yoga or tai chi. Practiced regularly, even simple relaxation techniques like sitting quietly, focusing on your breathing, and being mindful of your thoughts can have a big impact on your stress levels.
Keep Your Mind Active
Exercise your brain with activities that target your cognitive abilities. Some examples are:
- Read books or magazines
- Do puzzles like crosswords, Wordl, or Sudoku
- Play chess or other strategic games that engage your mind
- Write a story or memorize a poem or your favorite song
- Take or teach a class
- Learn a new skill or hobby
These and similar activities help you improve your memory, focus, reasoning, and processing speed. They also have the potential to boost self-esteem, reduce stress, and offer social interaction — all of which can support healthy cognitive function.
Stay Socially Connected
Staying engaged with the world around you is a vital part of maintaining good cognitive health. Social connection helps keep your brain active while reducing feelings of isolation and boosting your mood. It may even lower your risk for some health problems.
As we get older, it is common to feel more disconnected — that’s why it’s important to be intentional about finding ways to stay engaged. A few ideas are:
- Take a class
- Join a book club
- Volunteer
- Plan regular gatherings with friends and family
- Take up a new hobby
- Join a walking or running group or attend a fitness class
Get Plenty of Sleep
When we sleep, our brains take the opportunity to sort through and store our memories for future use. Lack of sleep can lead to problems with memory, concentration, and other cognitive abilities.
Getting enough sleep refreshes your energy, improves your mood, supports your immune system, and boosts your memory. It may even reduce buildup in your brain of a protein called beta-amyloid plaque, which is tied to Alzheimer’s disease.
Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night to support good brain health. If you struggle with sleep apnea, insomnia, or other sleep struggles, talk with your doctor about options that can help.
Practice Focusing
Practice purposefully focusing your mind throughout the day. Remove as many distractions as possible: put your phone in a drawer or turn it off, wear noise-cancelling headphones or listen to music, close the door to your office (if possible), and so on.
Then, focus on a task, making note of how long you can remain focused without losing concentration. Make this a regular practice and notice how your focus improves.
Another thing that can help improve your focus is to engage more of your senses. For instance, try reading out loud to engage multiple senses — and multiple areas of the brain — at once.
Boosting Cognitive Skills in Adults With Personal Brain Training at LearningRx Atlanta
LearningRx’s brain training programs target and train weak cognitive skills. We start by giving each new client a Brain Skills Assessment to identify which cognitive skills are strong and which need improvement. We then pair each client with a personal brain trainer who will use fun, challenging exercises to work on any weak skills.
It’s never too late to improve your cognitive abilities. Contact us today to start your brain training journey.
