Lumosity for Alzheimer's Awareness Month

January is definitely Alzheimer's awareness month and a lot of people have made sure that it was. Knowing about it made me think about what scientific advances they have made by now. I read somewhere that while the experts in the field continually search for the cure, it has been discovered that symptoms can be delayed, or might even be prevented.

Helpguide.org has an article on precisely this. It states that by following the six pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle will your brain be able to function longer and stay healthier. These are the following:

1. Regular exercise
2. Healthy diet
3. Mental stimulation
4. Quality sleep
5. Stress management
6. An active social life

Having mentioned mental stimulation, a website I have seen in advertisements for quite some time now is Lumosity and I have been wanting to try it for awhile now.

As I was signing up, checkboxes are being loaded for your choices. This helps for them to configure your training program. First step on the breadcrumbs is about Memory, and I checked everything I wanted to train on. From learning new subjects quickly and accurately, remembering names after the first introduction, recalling the location of objects, and keeping track of several ideas at the same time.

 Second set is about attention. From concentrating while learning something new (everybody knows we all want to multitask, even the men!), avoiding distractions (focus!), improving productivity and precision at work or home, and maintaining focus on important tasks all day.

 Third is speed. I think the world would move at a much faster pace than it already is if we could actually work on speed (I, included). This set focuses from decision-making in time-sensitive situations, reacting quickly, adapting to changing environments, and speeding up cognitive processes.

Fourth is flexibility: avoiding errors, multi-tasking quickly and efficiently, communicating clearly, and thinking outside the box.  Hmm. I wonder what new ideas we from Oh, My! can come up with after we are through with this set of exercises.

Last but not the least is problem solving, focusing on making quick and accurate estimations, dissecting complex arguments, determining the best course of action, and calculating figures in your head.

This online find is definitely one of a kind. The effects of these exercises seem plausible enough to believe in. Their approach to exercise the brain is believable enough to try it. Alzheimer's or not, having a healthy brain is what everyone should aim for. Remember that as we grow old, we inevitably lose physical strength but one thing that would still make us walk a straight line or remember your grandchildren's children's name is your brain. So keep it healthy and keep it active as early as now. Do let us know if any improvements start to show after doing these exercises. We would love to hear about it!