Do you play mind games?

June 28th, 2010 by admin

“I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.” ~ Arthur Conan Doyle

The reference to mind games in this instance is not a reference to the dirty tricks some people play on others or the games we play with ourselves that have a negative impact on our lives.

We are starting to hear how important it is to keep the mind working. The brain is a muscle and like the other muscles of the body, as the saying goes, you either use it or lose it.

We hear health professionals now telling seniors to put energy into keeping their minds fit. This is good advice for all. The younger one is when they become aware of the need to exercise their brain the better.

The mind or brain need new challenges. It is like exercising the body. If you do one thing continuously you improve as time goes by. However no matter how long you practice that thing if you try to do something else you find that you do not do so good.

As an example, if you are a runner and want to become a swimmer, you find that it is like starting all over again. This is because you are using different muscles in swimming than you did in running.

The same is true of the brain, if you do the same mental things everyday, you become good at that task. But, you may not be so good at a different task that requires a different part of the brain.

To keep your brain in top condition it needs to be introduced to new things regularly. Things like learning a new language, working cross-word puzzles and other kinds of puzzles that make you think.

There are websites devoted to games that keep your brain active. The only thing in keeping your brain in good working order well all your life is the intent to do so and the perseverance to make it a habit.

Work with your mind and brain daily. Sitting in front of the TV does not simulate the mind. Just as you exercise you body, exercise your mind.

As you have probably guessed by now, the topic this week is exercising your mind.

TODAY’S TIP: Do something new and different that you have not done before or in a long time that simulates your mind.

Are you clear headed or empty headed?

Some people would think that playing video games simulate the mind. They do to a point. But the repetition actually dulls the mind. We have a great many video game players that have the best hand eye coordination in the world, but know very little about other things.