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Brain Boosters-October Anagrams


Neuroplasticity challenges the idea that brain...

Image via Wikipedia

Wow, we are almost at the mid point of October and Halloween is just around the corner! As we enter the holiday season, remember how important it is to take care of your health and your brain! Speaking of the brain it’s time to exercise your brain, form new brain pathways, build your cognitive reserve, challenge yourself,  engage in new learning!  Become a lifelong learner, and take advantage of your brain and neuroplasticity skills through new learning.  We are never too old for new learning or too young to begin building our cognitive reserves!  Let’s try some anagrams today. Create as many new words as you can from the following words.

First, go grab a healthy snack-blueberries, strawberries, apples, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, veggie sticks, dark chocolate, paired with a healthy beverage-green tea, water, red wine. I just had some walnuts and iced green tea. Ready? Here are your words.

HALLOWEEN

COSTUMES

CANDIES

GOBLINS

PUMPKINS

DECORATIONS

 

Remember to exercise your body as well! Physical exercise helps pump blood throughout your body-including your brain. Studies have shown that by walking just 35 minutes a day at least 3 days/week it’s possible to increase the size of your hippocampus, which may correlate to improved memory skills! So, get up, leash that dog and take a walk!

Brain Plasticity, Neuroplasticity, What Is It Anyway?


Neuroplasticity challenges the idea that brain...

Image via Wikipedia

By now you’ve probably heard the terms  brain plasticity or neuroplasticity. You are most likely wondering, what is it, do I have it, can I get it, is it contagious, should I want it? Well, I am going to explain it in simple terms in hopes of giving everyone a clearer, better understanding of brain plasticity or neuroplasticity.

First, brain plasticity and neuroplasticity mean the same thing and the terms are interchangeable.  It basically refers to the brain‘s ability to change for better or worse.  Inside our brains we have axons, dendrites, nerve cells, gray matter. When we learn new  information, our brains actually form new neural or nerve  pathways  enabling  us to retain the newly learned information. Then of course we must reinforce this newly acquired knowledge.  Isn’t that fabulous?  As we continue to learn, we can continue to add new pathways. Of course, pathways can change when we forget things. Keep in  mind, this is a simplified definition of  brain plasticity.

As Speech-Language Pathologists, we are expertly trained in brain science  and neuro anatomy. Speech-Language Pathologists diagnose and treat cognitive, communication, language, and speech disorders. Therefore, we are uniquely qualified to conduct brain fitness classes to help individuals improve cognitive skills while  building  a cognitive reserve to stave off Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

Our brain fitness classes at BrainMasters, are different from the computer based programs, as ours are based on principles of cognitive skills development as utilized in Speech-Language Pathology. Our classes focus on improving   memory, problem solving,  thought organization, reasoning skills, judgment, executive function, processing speed,  thought flexibility, focus and concentration skills,  and attention skills. Classes are conducted in a group setting that is  interactive, enjoyable, and entertaining.  We provide  compensatory techniques and strategies  that will assist each individual achieve carryover of the desired skills.  At BrainMasters, we help you capitalize on your strengths while strengthening your weaknesses utilizing the principles of brain plasticity. Our programs can be customized  and adapted to accommodate any age group from teens to my 96 year old grandmother!  So, baby boomers, take advantage of the opportunity right in front of you-enroll in a brain fitness program. You’ll be glad you did!

Best of all, at BrainMasters  we bring our classes to your location at your convenience!

 

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