Tag: Adults

Doing your Math by Hand is a Great way to

Doing your Math by Hand is a Great way to Keep your Mind Active

In the early years of school we learn the basics of math. Those skills definitely are used in many aspects of our lives. However, as adults we tend to rely on other methods for calculating things. As a result our skills arent nearly as sharp as they used to be. Have you ever been out with friends for lunch and then struggled to divide the total bill three ways? Simple math can become a struggle if you dont work on it.

One of the main reasons why this part of your brain isnt as sharp as it used to be is that we have too many handy resources. We tend to use calculators for everything including balancing our checkbook and setting up our budget for the month. Most software programs have built in calculators too so that you dont have to check the math as you create spreadsheets or other materials either.

The retailers do this for us as well. For example when there is a big sale on clothing many of the items have a percentage off on them. The sign on the rack may say 30% off the retail price. Instead of having to figure out that savings on your own though the will have a chart attached to the rack. This tells you the full price and then the sales price with that 30% reduction.

So how do we get that ability to do math very well back? The answer lies in taking the time to practice it. Do your math by hand and you will be able to strengthen that part of your brain. Put the calculator aside and do your math by hand. Many people are able to do it quickly when they can visually see the numbers they are working with.

As your skills significantly improve you need to challenge yourself to do more of the math in your head. This is more difficult but as you work at it you will find that you are able to do it in no time at all. This is going to come in time as you work at it. You will be able to quickly determine how much of the bill is yours as well as how much of a tip you should leave based upon your balance that is owed.

When you go back to doing math by hand and in your mind it is going to take you more time than before. This can be frustrating if you deal with numbers often throughout the day. However, keep in mind that such exercises for the brain really do have a significant purpose. You will be pleasantly surprised too as you notice your skills improving over the course of time.

If you arent confident in your ability to calculate things in such a way you can keep a calculator handy. However, make a rule that you only use it after you have made a very good attempt to get the answer on your own. You can use the calculator as a way to verify that your answers are correct.

The more your challenge yourself to do your math by hand or in your mind the more your mind is going to benefit. When we stop using a part of our brain functions we will lose them. Dont allow that to happen and if it already has then you have the ability to change it now.
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A Unique Way to Improve your Cognitive Abilities is to

A Unique Way to Improve your Cognitive Abilities is to help your Kids with Homework

As a parent we want to make sure our children are doing well in school. One way to make sure is to help them with their homework. Now, you may be chuckling to yourself remembering how long ago it was that you were in school. Some of the learning styles have changed since then but the basics of the materials remains the same. By helping your kids with their homework you can improve your cognitive abilities.

At first you may feel completely out of the loop. For example your child may be taking an algebra class. There are many rules to follow for it and most of us dont remember them. Take the time to follow the examples in the book to see what you can figure out. A great way to help your child to check their math homework is to do several of the problems on your own sheet of paper. Have your child do the same thing and then compare answers. If you find that some of them are different work those problems together to find the right answer.

English is another course where you can improve your cognitive abilities when helping your kids with homework. Do you readily recall all of those rules relating to the different parts of speech? Dont worry if you dont off hand because most adults will have to say that they dont either. As you relearn this material you will be able to help your child with his or her homework. You will also be able to enhance your own skills.

When your children discover you have a vested interest in their school work they will be more motivated to complete it. They will feel confident coming to you for help with it as well. You can use that time together to bond in a way that you havent been able to before. Many children are intimidated to ask their teachers for help. Yet they dont mind asking their parents.

Too often though as parents we dont have the right information to help them learn it. By keeping on top of what your children are learning you can help them do their very best in school. At the same time you will be exercising your own brain and improving your cognitive abilities. If you have several children make sure you learn what they are doing at the various levels.

If you arent able to learn what you need to from your childs school books, look around online. There are plenty of sites dedicated to helping parents learn such information. You can also contact the school and ask the teacher to help you if you are puzzled by certain formulas or information that your child is being asked to use for their homework.

You will be surprised by how much of the information you retain learning it this second time around. Then as your younger children move up to more advanced work you will already have the skills you need to complete it. Another benefit of all of this is that it gives you a new way to look at things. Instead of just telling your children to go do their homework you have a first hand understanding of what they need to accomplish as well as the time it takes to do it.

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Use your Hands to Stimulate your Brain

As children we tend to be very creative and to not worry about what anyone around is thinks. Sadly, as we become adults though we tend to become more reserved in our efforts. We dont make time to draw or to paint for the most part and we definitely dont want others to criticize our work when we do. Therefore we end up creating what we think society will approve of rather than what we really want to.

When you use your hands to stimulate the brain, you will be able to draw and to paint freely. You will be able to let go of such reservations and feelings of uncertainty. Even if you dont like what your end project looks like, it is your very own creation. This type of creativity allows the brain to work in ways that you may have sheltered for a very long time.

It is amazing how little adults allow themselves to explore such freedoms. If you have children in the home you can spend the afternoon with them and stimulate your brain by working with your hands. There are many fun substances you can use for this. Play Doh is one that most of us are familiar with. There are also sticks of clay and even a newer one called Moon Sand.

You can use this same concept at the office too. Doodling on the side of your paper while you are deep in thought is a good start. The idea is to keep your hands moving at all times. If you cant think of something to write down on your proposal then doodle for a few minutes. As new information comes to your mind you can go back to writing it all down. Make a conscious effort during this process to keep your brain stimulated.

There may be an activity that you want to take up that involves your hands moving. For example knitting, sewing, or weaving. You can complete great products with your hands this way as well as offer your brain the additional stimulation that it can benefit from. Consider taking a pottery class where you can learn to shape and to make new items.

If you arent sure what types of activities you would like, consider spending some time at the local craft store. Certainly something there will capture your attention. It can be fun to learn a new skill too. Dont worry if you arent good at it right away though. Instead focus your attention on the fact that you are doing what you can to stimulate your brain activity.

Many people report that using their hands to stimulate the brain is a great way to release tension for them. They feel more relaxed after engaging in such activities. At the same time they feel that they have a clearer understanding of their thought process. Such activities simply seem to clear the mind to give a person the chance to view things in a new perspective.

You may need to explore a variety of ways to use your hands to stimulate your brain. Find those activities that you are enjoying and then make them a part of your daily routine. The overall benefits for your mental well being are more than you want to pass up. Some people will tell you in that frame of mind they were able to come up with some of the best ideas they have ever experienced.

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Stimulate your Brain each Morning before you get out of

Stimulate your Brain each Morning before you get out of Bed

We often take for granted that our brains are able to function in amazing ways. We also tend to forget that this is a very important part of our bodies to really take good care of. One way you can treat your brain well is to stimulate it each day before you get out of bed. It doesnt take long to accomplish, and it is going to help you face each new day in a positive light.

Set your alarm for ten minutes earlier than you have to be out of bed. This way you can relish the time to stimulate your brain and not worry about being late for work. Stretch each part of your body and really focus on it when you are doing so. Wiggle your fingers and your toes too. Pay attention to how it feels as you freely move each one of them. You may feel silly doing these activities but they are very good for you.

As you are stimulating your brain in the morning before you get out of bed, you are going to stimulate the nerve endings to your brain. You are going to become alert and look forward to your day. If you often end up sluggish in the morning then this could be a great way to wake you up and get your day off to a better start.

When you stimulate your brain each morning before you get out of bed you will be safer too. Research shows that this can help you to stay focused and to be well balanced. This can help reduce the risk of injuries due to falls. Many individuals find that they are more alert on their commute to work as well as throughout the day when they start it by stimulating their brain.

When we are children we tend to be very visual by nature. We have creative fantasies and stories that we role play all day long. However, as adults we dont allow ourselves to have those types of pleasures. You can turn back the hands of time though and incorporate them into your morning routine. Imagine yourself as a princess or a rock star before you get out of bed in the morning. Stimulate your brain by focusing on the vivid images of what would unfold in your life.

Try to incorporate all of our senses into those images as well. What did it feel like? What did it smell like? What were you saying and what was being said back to you? How did food taste? The more of these senses that you can pull into your imaginative stories the more stimulated your brain will become. These stories should put a nice smile on your face to begin the day with as well.

Have some classical music by your bed that you can easily turn on without getting up in the morning. Focus on listening to the sound of it for about 10 minutes. Doing so is going to open up your mind to many things. Identify the flow of the music as well as what will come next. As you become more familiar with the music it is going to be easier to end up thinking about something else as you listen to it. Dont let that happen though make a conscious effort to focus all of your attention on only the music for that span of time.

Some people would prefer to engage in such a process before bed to help them unwind. While that can be helpful and it can help you to get a good night of sleep, too many people rush through the process in order to get it done at night. Others fall asleep before they are able to complete it. So the best rule of thumb if you want to really stimulate your brain is to take part in such activities first thing in the morning.