Activities that Stimulate the Brain and Strengthen Memory

Even those with a high level of hyperthymesia do not remember exactly everything in their lives or have “perfect memory”. Studies have shown that it is a selective ability, as shown by AJ’s case, and they can have comparative difficulty with rote memorization and therefore cannot apply their ability to school and work.

Let’s take a deeper dive into 13 evidence-based exercises that offer the best brain-boosting benefits.

1. Have fun with a jigsaw puzzle.
2. Try your hand at cards.
3. Build your vocabulary.
4. Dance your heart out.
5. Use all your senses.
6. Learn a new skill.
7. Teach a new skill to someone else.
8. Listen to or play music.

• Puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords challenge both logic and memory.
• Reading books, magazines and newspapers use both language and cognition to strengthen memory.
• Playing board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, chess and checkers stimulate brain activity and may reduce rates of memory loss.

Read on to learn what science has to say about the different ways you may be able to boost both your crystallized and fluid intelligence.

1. Exercise regularly.
2. Get enough sleep.
3. Meditate.
4. Drink coffee.
5. Drink green tea.
6. Eat nutrient-rich foods.
7. Play an instrument.
8. Read.

Although science is on the fence about whether you can raise your IQ or not, research does seem to suggest that it’s possible to raise your intelligence through certain brain-training activities. Training your memory, executive control, and visuospatial reasoning can help to boost your intelligence levels.

More than anything else, improving your brain power is about habits, and habits take time to build. The best approach is to focus on one or two things at a time. Giving your life a complete makeover is going to prove much more challenging, and the habits you attempt to develop may not stick.