| What do you do to stimulate the brain? Research has | | | | heard it. If you do not play an instrument you could |
| indicated that exercising your brain is just as | | | | sing a melody.b. Numbers: You are given a number |
| important as exercising your muscles physically. So to | | | | pattern and have to repeat it. Some people just love |
| get a complete body work for good health and well | | | | numbers, so this would be perfect for them. |
| being it is a great idea to keep up with your weekly | | | | 2. Flash Card Recall: This is where you are given a |
| fitness regime of swimming, yoga, walking, gym | | | | card with 'x' number of items on it and you have to |
| exercises for strength (or whatever you do) as well | | | | remember as many items on that card as possible |
| as your brain exercises to help with your memory. | | | | once it is taken away. You may (or may not) |
| After all the longer you do your brain exercises, the | | | | remember a similar concept which is played at kids |
| longer your brain will work for you as you age. | | | | parties where you have a tray of items, which you |
| What Exercises Can You Do? | | | | see for a short time eg one minute and then have to |
| If you do not have a computer then logic puzzles, | | | | recall or write down all the items you remember. The |
| sudoku, kakuro and card games will keep the mind | | | | winner is the person who has remembered the most |
| stimulated. Do you remember that card game of | | | | items. |
| Memory where you have to find pairs and the | | | | Some of you may remember The Generation Game |
| person with the most pairs wins? You can play this | | | | hosted by Bruce Forsythe in the seventies. It was a |
| with a normal pack of playing cards or special cards | | | | game show for four couples preferably in the same |
| especially suitable for children with a theme on them | | | | family but of two different generations competing to |
| eg disney characters, musical notation or words. | | | | win prizes. The winning couple had to then watch a |
| There have been quizzes on the television based on | | | | series of prizes go by on a conveyor belt for a short |
| this. | | | | time. They then had a set time to recall all the prizes |
| If you do have a computer you can still do the non | | | | they could remember. Whatever they could |
| computer exercises above as well as going online | | | | remember was what they went home with. Just |
| using your active internet connection (preferably | | | | another version of Flash Card Recall. |
| broadband) and playing some memory games.. They | | | | 3. Fill In The Blanks: This is where you read a story |
| provide a perfect mental workout. | | | | and then fill in the blanks on the next page. This |
| What types of Memory Games are available. | | | | technique is often used in schools for tests and |
| 1. Simple Recall: This is where you have to remember | | | | exercises to help with a learning topic. |
| patterns. You can use a variety of pattern types | | | | These are just some examples. there will be more. |
| depending on your interest. Here are two ideas.a. | | | | Just make sure you choose games to suit your |
| Musical Notes: You are given a pattern of musical | | | | interest so you can stick to them. there is no point in |
| notes and have to repeat them once they are taken | | | | trying the musical note version if you have no idea |
| away or stopped. This is popular. | | | | what the musical notes are and love numbers. Each |
| *You could be given the pattern written down which | | | | game will have levels. The higher the level the harder |
| means you you would have to repeat them by | | | | and more challenging it is. Hence a great workout for |
| writing them. | | | | the brain. |
| *You could be given the pattern as a listening | | | | You need to remember though that these games |
| exercise and have to clap or tap back the rhythm. | | | | are to help keep your mind stimulated. If you think |
| This type of exercise can be given to music students | | | | you are losing your memory you need to see a |
| who sit practical exams as part of their aural tests. | | | | doctor. |
| If you play a musical instrument you can make up a | | | | Whatever you do in life, please do not stop your |
| rhythm and try and repeat it. Or better still, get | | | | body workout after the walk round the block. |
| some one else eg a music teacher or friend to play a | | | | Remember to fit some puzzles and memory games- |
| rhythm for you to play back. An advanced version of | | | | online and off in your weekly schedule. |
| this would be to repeat a melody once you have | | | | |