Don’t forget the gym for your brain too
We all know we’re supposed to exercise our bodies. Walk more. Lift weights. Stretch. But we forget that the brain needs exercise too. And not just crossword puzzles once in a while.
Your brain is like any other organ, if you don’t use it, it gets a bit sluggish. When you challenge it with new things, like learning a language, playing an instrument, reading deeply, or even having meaningful conversations, it builds new connections. That’s what keeps thinking sharp and memory strong.
Brain exercise is especially important now because our lives are so automated. We rely on GPS instead of remembering routes. We scroll instead of focusing. We multitask constantly. And over time, that can affect attention span and mental stamina.
TOI Health spoke to Dr. Vivek Kumar, Principal Director, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj on how important brain exercises are and daily habits that can keep your brain sharper.
What does “brain exercise” really mean from a neurological perspective?
Dr. Vivek Kumar: Mental exercises are essential for maintaining cognitive health, reducing age-related decline, and boosting mental resilience. By engaging in puzzles, sudoku, learning new skills or hobbies, and practicing mindfulness, individuals can improve memory, attention, and can easily regulate their emotions.
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Is multitasking harming our brain more than helping it?
Dr. Vivek Kumar: Multitasking significantly hinders cognitive function and productivity by causing task-switching penalties, reducing efficiency by up to 40%. Chronic multitasking reduces attention span, fosters burnout, and poses safety risks, such as in distracted driving.
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According to an American Psychological Association (APA) survey, roughly 40% of adults routinely multitask with digital devices, significantly increasing self-reported stress and lowering productivity.
Chronic multitaskers had inferior working memory performance and more difficulty filtering out irrelevant information, leading to increased mental fatigue and stress.
Do meditation and mindfulness have measurable benefits for the brain?
Dr. Vivek Kumar: Meditation and mindfulness practices may have a variety of health benefits and may help people improve the quality of their lives. Recent studies have investigated if meditation or mindfulness helps people manage anxiety, stress, depression, pain, or symptoms related to withdrawal from nicotine, alcohol, or opioids.
Meditation and mindfulness serve as powerful, evidence-based tools to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and promote emotional regulation by anchoring attention to the present moment without judgment. These practices, including breathing exercises and quiet contemplation, reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, alleviate anxiety, and enhance cognitive functions.
What are the early warning signs that someone’s cognitive health needs attention?
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Poor judgment, leading to bad decisions
Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
Losing track of dates or knowing current location
Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
Repeating questions or forgetting recently learned information
Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
Mood and personality changes
If you had to recommend three daily habits for a sharper brain, what would they be?
Dr. Vivek Kumar recommends the following habits for a sharper brain:
Solving puzzles like Sudoku
Learning new skills or hobbies
Increasing social interaction
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