Brain Training - You’ll Be Happier For It
My experience with brain fitness software has revealed a very interesting and at first surprising connection to my level of happiness and sense of well-being. I′ve also heard this commented on regularly by other brain exercisers. The connection seems to work in two directions: If I′m feeling good, I do better at the brain exercise; and when I do the brain exercise, it makes me feel happier.
Recent scientific research would seem to shed light on both aspects of this phenomenon. Beginning with research performed by Dr. Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin in 2005, scientists have consistently found that the brains of those who meditate (such as Tibetan monks in Davidson’s study) function differently than normal brains. The firing of neurons is better coordinated and more intense.
This seems to be what is happening when I am calm, relaxed and focused during brain training. And the effect seems to be enhanced when I take a break and meditate between training blocks. My brain fires more evenly; I can concentrate better, and my working-memory functions more effectively. Conversely, when I′m not feeling meditative, my attention is fractured and my brain quickly loses short-term information.
Another telling aspect of the research findings is that the more we practice these skills of mindful meditation, the more our brain responds.
The second aspect of the relationship between brain-training and a sense of well-being is equally profound and exciting. Two recent studies hone in on the way that depression works on a neural level. One reveals that antidepressants need new nerve cells to be effective. The study by researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center showed that the effectiveness of anti-depressants in mice depends upon the growth of new nerve cells in the part of the brain known as the dentate gyrus. The other study by German researchers found that stress inhibits new neural cell growth, thereby contributing to depression.
Fortunately, we can do two things to help generate new nerve cells in the dentate gyrus: aerobic exercise and working-memory activation. Aerobic exercise of course has many positive results and has long been associated with mood elevation. Increased blood flow in the brain helps stimulate neural growth. It’s been less well understood however that certain kinds of mental task can stimulate new cell growth.
It’s important to note that not all brain exercises produce these benefits to any significant degree. Casual brain teasers or games that don’t demand our full focus and attention over an extended period will likely not be much use. The conditions for new nerve cell growth call for intense concentration at a novel and rewarding mental task.
When researching the brain training program that’s right for you, check out the vendor’s information on the science of the training. Is the training based on or supported by academic or independent study? Does the vendor specify what you should expect to gain from the training? Is there a prescribed schedule for use?
As with any form of exercise, brain exercise rewards in equal measure to our investment. We can’t expect to stay physically fit without breaking a sweat - so, too, a truly effective brain training program requires our attention and effort. The rewards to our mental health and happiness, however, can repay every ounce of that investment.
Tags: brain exercises, brain fitness, brain fitness software, brain plasticity, brain training, brain training software, happiness, health, intelligence, IQ, Mental Health, mental training, self improvement, well being
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