Many people put a good amount of time, money, and effort into gyms, cosmetic procedures, beauty products, and foods off the fitness shelf on the market – all for the sake of physical health and appearance.
However, aging is not only evident in the body, but also in the mind. It is very important to take a break from the daily rush and the hectic contemporary lifestyle and stop to reflect a little more on what attitudes can be taken both for a better quality of life and health, as well as for the maintenance and improvement of cognitive abilities.
From a change in habits when young, the effects of exposure to environmental factors, such as food, pollution, stress, lack of physical activities, etc. Therefore, many focus on a balanced diet, exercise and treatments, however they end up underestimating the activities for the mind.
Training the brain is as important as exercising the body in a gym; as well as playing sports that stimulate the mind are equally essential to physical sports.
It is proven that sports and activities that extensively use the cognitive function, such as chess, checkers, card games, backgammon, dominoes, bridge (card cards), among others, help to develop the logical reasoning, strategic thinking, ability to concentrate, fluidity of reasoning and self-awareness. Therefore, these mental stimuli favor the maintenance of brain health.
A study that proved this thesis was done by Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, a professor and neurologist at the University of California, who concluded that playing cards at least twice a week helps improve the “well-being” of your brain.
In this sense, a good example that corroborates these findings is that of the Uruguayan Jaime Ateneloff. At 85 years old, Jaime impressed last year during the Spanish Poker Championship (Brazilian Poker Championship or BSOP). After ten years as a professional, he worked his way to the last stage of the tournament and became the oldest champion in the history of the event. Another example of a man with a sharp mind is the American Doyle Brunson, currently 82 years old. He has been playing poker for over 50 years, during which time he has collected many titles – Doyle is still not thinking about retiring.
Another example that proves this thesis is the Englishman Alec Holden, who at the age of 90 bet he would live to 100. Holden kept the habit of playing chess every day, and even managed a local club dedicated to the sport. That is: a pattern was detected.
And age is no excuse for you to stop reading or engage in mentally stimulating activities.
In another study published in the journal “JAMA Neurology”, an American monthly medical journal specializing in research related to the brain, it was shown that patients who practiced activities such as playing chess and cards at least once a week for 4 years had better chances. to have a sharper mind.
With this, it was concluded that training your brain is as important as training your muscles. So, in addition to the more fitness life, how about adopting some of these mental sports in your routine? In addition to being fun, they can help improve your cognition and quality of life!
