Through this study, researchers are already looking into using action games for rehabilitating visually-impaired patients. If action games could help in your mental processes, think about the effects of brain exercises, brain teasers, puzzles, board and card games. Video game manufacturers have also ventured into brain games. There were others, too, who were able to even enhance their physical performances in sports, for instance. Alternatives Thankfully, you can do your own brain training. Do crossword puzzles, sudoku, as well as other word and board games. The internet has a wealth of aids to help your skills in memorization, visualization and reasoning all for free. doctors concluded his chess-playing may have helped kept the disease in check. He had also kept his condition in check by bolstering his brains with chess and other intellectual push-ups. (5) Cross-training counts. Focusing only on a single mental activity will not exercise all the cognitive domains needed to keep the brains agile. Learning-disabled On the other hand, medical authorities are now looking into the big possibility that another set of senior citizens today have learning disabilities. The causes are totally different, however. These are the healthy older adults who do not seem to be victimized by any mental deterioration through disuse or other forms of neglect, disease or other causes. Long-term effects In short, these improvements in brain abilities (better memory, better problem-solving skills, and better concentration) after training have roughly counteracted cognitive decline that older people (even those without histories of dementia) are known for. Another bit of good news is that researchers have found out that these cognitive improvements were still detectable even after five years since training. Make sure that before engaging in puzzling and mind-boggling stunts you have taken a well-balanced meal. Fruit, whole grain, veggies, nuts, meat, and the likes should be amply present on your plate come eating time. Part of the whole training thing is starting the day right. Pack your breakfast with beans.