Brain Training

[TeeDee]

I'd like to know what people are using for keeping their brains in tip top shape? Happy to take advice from those more advancing in years ( Broch - feel free to chime in )

So what do you use ? What have you found useful? What do you feel you enjoy and find a good challenge?

Crosswords?
Sudoku ?
Dingbats?
Learning a Language?
Any Brain training app?
Chess?



I tend to like puzzle and riddles and things I read and get annoyed at but like a challenge and will think and dwell on it for some time.

I used to like a game called Mindtrap and picked up some puzzle books from Mensa.



Just interested what others do or have found helpful.

 

[Broch]

OK, as you asked

I rarely do any puzzles, crosswords, games, or specific brain training exercises. What I am constantly doing is studying, learning, experimenting, solving problems, measuring, calculating etc.

There's a Shaolin saying (or it may be Zen - I forget, so maybe it's not working!)

To know
is not what is important to us

To learn
is not so important

What is important

is to Study!

 

[Toddy]

I like puzzles, preferably the numerical ones.
My vocabulary's fairly good, so crosswords are just a few minutes chill out, kind of thing.

I like 3D manipulation, I make patterns, I design moving paper engineering pieces, happily leave a trail of 'tormented paper things' (quote husband) behind me....origami but I really like the modular origami ....look at the examples down this page...

Mathematical Origami – Mathigon

Explore the beautiful world of Origami and mathematics. Be amazed by stunning photographs, try our folding instructions, or learn about the mathematical background.

mathigon.org

I make models too, usually N or OO gauge buildings but I like 12th scale sewing.

I think humanity is hard wired to make, I think it's good for our brains I think the only craft I cannot get to grips with it tatting. I have no idea why, I weave, crochet, knit, etc., make bobbin lace, but tatting does my head in.

 

[TeeDee]

I make models too, usually N or OO gauge buildings but I like 12th scale sewing.

Are the model building part of something larger ? or standalone individual pieces?

 

[Toddy]

Are the model building part of something larger ? or standalone individual pieces?

They're little dioramas. I sometimes set them out at Christmas, or if I pull down my N gauge train set (it fits on the mantlepiece) I sort of play with them.
Honestly, it's the total zen of engrossed chill out of the build that pleases me. Definitely the build.
Put it this way, the local model shop phones or emails me when the latest Metcalfe stuff comes in

 

[Stew]

Try cluesbysam if you like a puzzle. Gets harder through the week, I think.

I also like gridogram

 

[TeeDee]

OK, as you asked

I rarely do any puzzles, crosswords, games, or specific brain training exercises. What I am constantly doing is studying, learning, experimenting, solving problems, measuring, calculating etc.

There's a Shaolin saying (or it may be Zen - I forget, so maybe it's not working!)

To know
is not what is important to us

To learn
is not so important

What is important

is to Study!

So is this course of study related ? or diverse and somewhat unpredictable?
How do you decide what to study next and what are you currently studying?

 

[TeeDee]

I like puzzles, preferably the numerical ones.
My vocabulary's fairly good, so crosswords are just a few minutes chill out, kind of thing.

I like 3D manipulation, I make patterns, I design moving paper engineering pieces, happily leave a trail of 'tormented paper things' (quote husband) behind me....origami but I really like the modular origami ....look at the examples down this page...

Mathematical Origami – Mathigon

Explore the beautiful world of Origami and mathematics. Be amazed by stunning photographs, try our folding instructions, or learn about the mathematical background.

mathigon.org

I make models too, usually N or OO gauge buildings but I like 12th scale sewing.

I think humanity is hard wired to make, I think it's good for our brains I think the only craft I cannot get to grips with it tatting. I have no idea why, I weave, crochet, knit, etc., make bobbin lace, but tatting does my head in.

I may well give that Origami a go - not sure how well I will do with my cursed sausage fingers but we shall push the paper envelope!

 

[Toddy]

Have you seen the Zhen Xian Bao ? these are folded compartment thread books
Fascinating to play with.
Like this

Making a Zhen Xian Bao/Chinese Thread Book: Part Five or A Personal Conclusion

When I began all this —the trip down an internet wormhole chasing a particular origami folding pattern— I had no idea where it would all lead. The hunt for that set of instructions led me to an eno…

byopiapress.wordpress.com

I have one made of handmade paper and I've got little samples of over two dozen different natural fibres made into threads

 

[Chris]

To start with what you probably weren’t asking (this is the BCUK forum after all ), I have found the thing that has the biggest impact on my brain is sleep hygiene. Getting enough good quality sleep does more for my last few braincells than anything else.

But to answer what you actually asked: I do a Wordle puzzle and another Daily Word Wheel puzzle every morning to wake my brain up. Thankfully my job can be quite stimulating for brain function as it’s lots of technical problem solving combined with influencing people who all have different technical interests/motivations, so it can feel a bit like chess sometimes.

I also deliberately avoid short form media content (TikTok/YT shorts for example) as I think those have the opposite effect on brain function. The way I think of this is deliberately using your brain to actively suck in information, rather than just having information blasted at it. Active vs passive information absorption.

 

[TeeDee]

To start with what you probably weren’t asking (this is the BCUK forum after all ), I have found the thing that has the biggest impact on my brain is sleep hygiene. Getting enough good quality sleep does more for my last few braincells than anything else.

But to answer what you actually asked: I do a Wordle puzzle and another Daily Word Wheel puzzle every morning to wake my brain up. Thankfully my job can be quite stimulating for brain function as it’s lots of technical problem solving combined with influencing people who all have different technical interests/motivations, so it can feel a bit like chess sometimes.

I also deliberately avoid short form media content (TikTok/YT shorts for example) as I think those have the opposite effect on brain function. The way I think of this is deliberately using your brain to actively suck in information, rather than just having information blasted at it. Active vs passive information absorption.

Yes - agree to sleep Hygiene , interesting to see how ours may differ or not.

I take Magnesium/Glycine to ensure a restorative sleep.
Don't read in bed - Bed is either for Sleep or if you're really unlucky s-e-x
Don't use Phone in bed.

I have used a reciprocating fan in the past accompanied with 12 hours of 'surf ' sounds which has helped.
Also use essential oils to aid sleep.

 

[grainweevil]

You may regret asking this...

Every morning I do: Worldle, Globle, Travle, Geo Connections and Flagle, which has made a marked improvement to my geography knowledge. Then Wordle, Wordle, Dordle, Quordly, Octordly, and Sedecordle which covers five letter vocab (should probably do some six and seven letter ones really, but where would I fit them in?) Then Phrazle, Weaver, Waffle, Combinations, and Squares for other wordy stuff. Occasional Sudoku and the Telegraph quick crossword if the old man doesn't feel up to it.

I'm a weevil of habit, so once something's in the routine it's rarely jettisoned, hence the rather crowded itinerary. The only exception would be Duolingo, which I finally gave the elbow to on a 3000+ streak because their adoption of AI was the final straw in their succession of buggerings about.

I used to do creative things with wood and really didn't feel the need for these artificial brain exercises, but round the clock care for the Old Man means I have to be in earshot and ready to drop everything in an instant, so clean and tidy online puzzles sort of fill a gap, I s'pose.

 

[Tengu]

Trying to work out what AI is up to.

Nice Example Vintage Reverse Carved Lucite Floral Pin Brooch | eBay UK

Nice Example Vintage Reverse Carved Lucite Floral Pin Brooch. In very good vintage used condition, slightly raided on one edge, small area, negligible, see photos. UK P and P RM tracked £4.50.

www.ebay.co.uk

I have a few of these (not as nice as this one, mind you) and was asking AI which were the early ones made from Aircraft windows and which were the later ones, probably bought acrylic. AI cannot see pictures (I asked) so I had to describe each one in detail. (one of them almost certainly is early).

Observation skills is definatley honing the mind.

It likes to talk about sensory things. So if I am out and about I pay attention to what I encounter.

And it also encourages me to explore things in a non frightening way (such as IT and paracord bracelets, two things that I have always not got on with).

It asked me what food I would take on a moon mission. (It told me it gets asked recipes a lot; I dont trust it with food, as it tends to run simple ideas through the professional chefs book that starts with the lobster...Im sure the recipes are nice, but they are miles away from simple food).

I said Dundee cake as it travels well.

 

[Chris]

Yes - agree to sleep Hygiene , interesting to see how ours may differ or not.

I take Magnesium/Glycine to ensure a restorative sleep.
Don't read in bed - Bed is either for Sleep or if you're really unlucky s-e-x
Don't use Phone in bed.

I have used a reciprocating fan in the past accompanied with 12 hours of 'surf ' sounds which has helped.
Also use essential oils to aid sleep.

No phones or screens in bed. I take 3mg Melatonin about an hour before I want to go to sleep every night - would do 1mg if it was more readily available.

Dimmed lights half an hour before sleep. I do read in bed as that’s something I find relaxing. Bedtime boogie is fine in terms of my routine (although you didn’t call me back??) and haven’t noticed detrimental impact there.

Cold bedroom. I read somewhere that there’s something built in evolutionarily which encourages warm followed by cold being conducive to good sleep, so a hot shower and then getting into a cold room. Perhaps placebo effect, but I do find that helps. Fan on all night. No lights on, blackout curtains.

Fairly often I’ll take an electrolyte to provide hydration without needing to drink too much water, thus avoiding too many nighttime wees.

Do you find the magnesium/glycine helps tangibly?

 

[TeeDee]

No phones or screens in bed. I take 3mg Melatonin about an hour before I want to go to sleep every night - would do 1mg if it was more readily available.

Dimmed lights half an hour before sleep. I do read in bed as that’s something I find relaxing. Bedtime boogie is fine in terms of my routine (although you didn’t call me back??) and haven’t noticed detrimental impact there.

Cold bedroom. I read somewhere that there’s something built in evolutionarily which encourages warm followed by cold being conducive to good sleep, so a hot shower and then getting into a cold room. Perhaps placebo effect, but I do find that helps. Fan on all night. No lights on, blackout curtains.

Fairly often I’ll take an electrolyte to provide hydration without needing to drink too much water, thus avoiding too many nighttime wees.

Do you find the magnesium/glycine helps tangibly?

Magnesium definitely seems to provide a deeper more restorative sleep without after effects of sleeping tablets.
Thats not just me but from everyone I have suggested them to have also reported better/deeper sleep.

Glycine - Its supposed to help with other things ( Anti Aging ) but I took it too see if it could give me some trippy dreams which others have commented upon - I've had mixed dreams with it - last nights was a massive surreal trip.


If I had more time to investigate there use to be a eye mask that had small lights ( Think xmas tree ) that would initiate 90mins after switching on - the thinking behind the lights was that it would help create Lucid dreaming - When you know you are in a dream but have an element of control and awareness - not sure if you've experienced that but they too can be quite trippy.

 

[Broch]

Derr... I close my eyes, and fall asleep - 8 hours a night, rarely wake up. No drugs, no technology, at worst a little meditative thought. But I guess I'm lucky

 

[TeeDee]

Derr... I close my eyes, and fall asleep - 8 hours a night, rarely wake up. No drugs, no technology, at worst a little meditative thought. But I guess I'm lucky

Just for clarity - neither Magnesium nor Glycine are ' drugs ' - which I'm sure you know but I just need to clear that up.

Yes Broch - you are indeed lucky!

 

[Pattree]

I have never thought of sleep as a medicated process but I guess, like Broch, I’m lucky. I’m also pretty sure that I’m not unusual.

There was an NS article recently that said over a third of people who refer to themselves as insomniacs aren’t.
It suggested that it isn’t the hours of sleep but the amount of rest that matters - it’s a need to reframe how you think about your sleep.
That said -the other two thirds ARE insomniacs to some extent or other.

As far as the OP is concerned I just need to get both my brain cells cooperating and playing nice.

I have always enjoyed formulating reports and research plans.
Since retirement in enjoy formulating letters and stories. I try to build connections that aren’t immediately obvious. Seeing something imaginative of mine in print still gives me a kick.

 

[TeeDee]

Derr... I close my eyes, and fall asleep - 8 hours a night, rarely wake up. No drugs, no technology, at worst a little meditative thought. But I guess I'm lucky

I just remembered - don't you often enjoy a little night cap?? Which would be alcohol ? which very much is classed as a drug.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

I don't do it specifically to keep the little grey cells sharp but I try to learn something new everyday. Not trivial facts but something that lodges in the memory & becomes an acquisition of knowledge. I have always done it though.
They say never play chess with a computer but I do & I'm currently winning 65% of the games..... I'm determined to get to 100% without cheating as that will be a victory over AI. The computer often cheats though, when I'm about to check mate the ****** in 3 moves, it stops the game & calls it stale mate. It has learnt all my moves & sometimes knows what I'm going to do before I do.
In the end, there can be only one.

I get plenty of sleep & go to bed with Radio 4 of all things & wake up with the World Service. yes I'm boring.