What Every Senior Living Professional Should Know

This past month, the highly esteemed Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care released updated guidelines, the group’s 3rd report since 2017. 

The news is hopeful. Through systematic reviews and meta-analyses from different studies, the commission identified 14 modifiable risk factors that could hold the key to preventing nearly half of dementia cases, up from 12 factors in their previous release. 

As senior care professionals, the Lancet Commission findings are an invaluable resource for sharing the clear value of our wellness programs to promote cognitive health and successful aging for our residents. Understanding and addressing the now 14 lifestyle factors identified by this new report is crucial as we plan our interventions and services to help residents and community members live healthier, and more fulfilling lives. 

A Lifelong Approach to Enrichment and Risk Reduction

One of the key takeaways from the 2024 report is that it’s never too late to take action. While addressing risk factors early in life is ideal, the report highlights that interventions at any age can still yield benefits. By providing programs and activities that focus on cognitive stimulation, social engagement, physical exercise, and other key areas, we can help reduce risk of dementia regardless of our residents’ stage of life. 

Practical Strategies to Incorporate into Life Enrichment Program

The 2024 update outlines specific actions to address the 14 dementia risk factors, many of which can be directly integrated into the activities we plan and lead in communities. They include: 

Cognitive Stimulation: Offer educational workshops, brain workouts, and mentally engaging activities to keep residents cognitively sharp.

• Hearing Health: Ensure that residents have access to hearing screenings and hearing aids.

• Social Engagement: Create opportunities for social interaction, whether through group activities, volunteer programs, or peer mentoring.

• Physical Activity: Promote regular exercise classes, walking clubs, or other physical activities.

• Mental Health Support: Offer access to mental health resources and activities that combat depression and provide opportunities for community support.

• Safety: Encourage safe practices such as using seat belts, wearing helmets, and reducing fall risks. 

• Nutrition and Wellness: Provide heart-healthy meal options and educate residents on the importance of managing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Smoking Cessation: Educate residents about the risks of smoking and provide support for those who want to quit.

• Vision Care: Arrange regular vision screenings and ensure that residents have access to corrective lenses or other vision aids.

• Environmental Awareness: Work with your facility to reduce exposure to air pollution and create age-friendly, supportive environments that promote healthy living.

• Alcohol Moderation: Promote awareness of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption and provide education on moderate drinking.

Supporting Residents Beyond Prevention

Even for residents who may already be experiencing cognitive decline, our role in providing supportive, enriching activities is vital. The Lancet Commission recommends interventions that help people live well with dementia, such as planning for the future, maintaining social connections, and providing appropriate care. By fostering an environment where all residents feel engaged and valued, we can improve their overall well-being. 

Bringing It All Together: A Proactive Approach

With this research we are better positioned to make a lasting impact on the cognitive health of our residents. The evidence-based programs and activities you provide are not just about keeping residents busy—they are about empowering them to live vitally, with better brain health and more years of active living. By being ambitious about dementia prevention and integrating these new insights into our everyday work, we help to create a brighter, healthier lifestyle for everyone in our care. The power of 14 is in our hands—let’s use it to make a lasting difference.

For more information on the Total Brain Health programs to support brain wellness with guided, group-based holistic training for older adults, contact us at info@totalbrainhealth.com. 

Reference article: The Lancet Commissions Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission 

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Can Social-Based Brain Training Help Residents with Brain Fog?

 We all know the struggle: a resident expresses frustration about forgetfulness and a lack of mental clarity. They describe it as “brain fog” – that pesky feeling of muddled thinking and difficulty focusing. As activity leaders, we can offer solutions! New research suggests that brain training programs that incorporate social interaction might be just the tool to sharpen residents’ cognitive edge.

Brain Fog: Beyond a Senior Moment

Brain fog isn’t a specific diagnosis, but a collection of symptoms like forgetfulness, confusion, and concentration issues. It can be caused by various factors like stress, sleep deprivation, or even dehydration. While these “senior moments” are common, they can be a source of frustration for residents.

The Power of Social Connections

Here’s the exciting part: studies show staying socially connected significantly improves cognitive function and even reduces the risk of dementia. Research has found that social interaction stimulates the brain in unique ways compared to solo activities. This social stimulation strengthens existing neural pathways and creates new ones, leading to sharper thinking and improved memory.

Social-Based Brain Training: More Than Puzzles

Many brain training programs exist, but some stand out for their social focus. Consider TBH (Total Brain Health) classes as an example. These classes move beyond brain teasers and memory games. They create a space for residents to learn and socialize together. This social interaction is key – it provides cognitive stimulation while combating loneliness, a major risk factor for cognitive decline.

The Benefits of Experiential Learning

TBH classes are also experiential, meaning residents actively engage in the learning process. This hands-on approach makes learning fun and engaging, and research shows it improves information retention.

Empowering Residents with Memory Strategies

TBH classes go beyond just brain stimulation. They also teach practical memory strategies to help residents manage everyday forgetfulness. From organization tips to mnemonic devices, these strategies empower residents to manage their brain health and reduce those frustrating “senior moments.”

Building a Strong Brain Training Program

When designing or selecting a brain training program for your community, consider these key points:

• Science-backed: Is the program based on research and proven to improve cognitive function?

• Social Interaction: Does it encourage interaction and connection with others?

• Educational Empowerment: Does it teach residents strategies to manage their brain health outside of class?

• Experiential Learning: Is it hands-on and engaging, or just passive learning?

By prioritizing these aspects, you can create a program that combats brain fog, fosters social connection, empowers residents, and makes learning a joy!

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TBH’s Dr. Green recently joined Abbie Ritchie of Senior Living Foresight’s Tech Tuesday to talk about how TBH is adapting our programs for tech delivery and many other brain buzzing topics.

Click to watch.

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Amp Up Attendance For Your Brain Health Classes | Do Chat GPT and I agree?

BY CYNTHIA R. GREEN, PH.D.

You know your active elders are keen to learn how they can keep their thinking sharp and brains healthy. Yet sometimes those brain health classes may not feel so popular, or you may worry that attendance may be waning. What can you do to amp up attendance and make sure your brain health programs thrive?

As an expert in the field, I certainly have lots of advice on this topic. But, I was curious – what would Chat GPT say you should do?

So, I asked CHAT GPT for some tips to boost attendance for a brain health program – and was pleasantly surprised to see that when it comes to the ways you can entice and engage folks in meaningful cognitive training, we share the same point-of-view.

Ready for the top 4 ways CHAT GPT and I say you can get your customers to turn out for brain health?

1. Know your customer. Find out what your residents or members really want to get out of a brain health program. Do they want to preserve quick and nimble thinking? Remember things better? Or are they primarily interested in how they can stave off cognitive decline? Then, make sure the program you offer is what they are interested in learning. A good content partner should offer you a selection of topics to choose from so you can best meet what your folks want to learn about. (Our TBH programs do).

CHAT GPT adds that you should then develop marketing materials that reflects their interest. Try flyers, posters, articles, and portal or social media posts. Just make sure that your marketing materials are responsive and show that you’ve listened to what they want and are making that happen. (These are including with our program packages).

2. Make the invitation personal. Who wants to feel like a number or cog in the wheel? Certainly not an AI program! CHAT GPT highlights the importance of personalizing invitations to your program. I couldn’t agree more. Take the time to personally invite folks to join your class. Be sure to point out the benefits of the program and how it can help them reach their own wellness goals. Next, invite them to talk up the program in their social circles and to bring friends to class. CHAT GPT suggests a referral incentive program, where folks are rewarded for bringing someone new to the classes (that could be fun!). And don’t forget the power of their own words – Invite folks to share stories about the program and why they love it at other classes or community events. Even a machine knows the power of the personal testimonial.

3. Make sure it’s worth their while. CHAT GPT’s 3^rd tip? Make sure the class content is engaging and interactive. Again, I could not agree more – in fact, that is the only way we

do things here at Total Brain Health! After all, if something isn’t engaging, meaningful, and fun, why would any of us want to attend? In addition to making sure the program is enjoyable, CHAT GPT suggests you focus on material that is practical and applicable to everyday life, with takeaways students can use to continue learning on their own. Happily, that advice is an easy fit for TBH, since all our training is designed to give folks practical, sustainable ways they can sharpen their thinking, rev up their recall, and reduce cognitive loss. And each of our classes comes with handouts and more so folks can continue learning on their own.

4. Make sure they feel welcomed. Folks will attend classes where they feel respected, included, and valued. Part of that equation is to ensure that students always find a welcoming class environment that adapts to their interests and needs, and that is empowering and connecting. As CHAT GPT concludes, “remember it is crucial to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment where older adults feel comfortable and supported. Building trust and rapport with potential attendees can further boost attendance as they recognize the value of the brain health class and the positive impact it can have on their lives.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I know that these strategies are surefire, proven ways you can make sure your brain health classes are among the most popular listings on your community calendar. Isn’t it nice to see that CHAT GPT agrees?

President and founder of Total Brain Health, Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author and nationally recognized expert on memory fitness and brain health.

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BY CYNTHIA R. GREEN, PH.D.

We all need to sleep. Yet sometimes it can seem impossible to get a good night’s rest. A lack of zzz’s takes a toll on our thinking and wellbeing, especially as we grow older. The good news? There are evidence-backed, practical ways we can improve our sleep at every age.

Why is sleep so important?

While researchers cannot pinpoint the exact way sleep works, they all agree that sleep is critical to healthy functioning. Adequate rest supports our wellbeing, allowing our bodies the opportunity to repair cellular damage, remove toxins, and maintain good physical condition. In addition, sleep supports our immune system, lowering our risk for infection and disease, and can reduces our risk for injury. Finally, scientists believe sleep may play a critical role in healthy brain function, providing a time for neural growth that support ongoing neuroplasticity.

Sleep helps us remember better.

Sleep also matters to our memory. Research shows that getting adequate rest is key to maintaining attention, thinking fast, and other cognitive skills that help us function smoothly and support learning. In addition, it is during sleep that we consolidate material learned during the day and create pathways to new memory for that information. This suggests that if we want to stay sharp and remember what we learn – from directions to names! – we need good sleep.

Sleep can make us better friends.

Lastly, sleep can make us better company. When we are sleeping well, we have better social skills. We can listen more actively and accurately, and we have better verbal functions, making conversations easier. And sleep can help us to be a better companion, shoring up our ability to judge when it’s our turn to talk versus someone else’s or what is appropriate – or not – to do.

It can be harder to get enough sleep as we age.

Many of us are unaware that our sleep patterns can naturally change with age, making it harder to get a good night’s rest. First, our circadian rhythm, the hormonal “cascade” that determines our sleep/wake cycle, can shift, so that we go to bed and awake earlier than when we were younger. We also tend to spend more time in light sleep, making us more vulnerable to disruptions from our environment. Age-related physiological changes, medications and poor personal sleep can make sleep challenging as well.

3 easy changes to help you sleep more.

While age-related changes can make it harder to get our zzz’s, the good news is there are things we can do to improve our sleep. Here are some surefire, practical tips everyone can try to boost their chances of sleeping more.

#1 Improve Your Sleep Efficiency. According to therapists specializing in insomnia, limiting our time in bed to match our actual sleep window is a powerful way we can train ourselves to sleep better. To improve your sleep efficiency, first find your sleep window by keeping track of when you fall asleep and wake up over several days. Next, use that sleep window as a guide for the time you are in bed. Stay out of bed until you are truly ready to fall asleep, then get right out of bed when you awake in the morning. Compressing your time in bed to match your sleep cycle can significantly improve your chances of falling and staying asleep through the night.

#2 See the Light. We can also improve their sleep is by exposing ourselves to natural light during the daytime. The neural pathways located in our hypothalamus that control circadian rhythm are triggered by light. Experts such as Stanford’s Dr. Andrew Huberman teach that at least 10 minutes of exposure to natural light at the beginning and then again at the end of the day can help us reset our circadian rhythm and improve our chances of getting a full night’s sleep.

#3 Act Like a Baby. Anyone who has ever put a child to bed knows that routine matters. Yet often as adults we stray from good bedtime habits. Research shows that practicing a regular bedtime routine can be a highly effective way to promote better rest. Take the time to reassess your nightly ritual and put a healthier program into practice. Include a regular bedtime, a soothing activity such as reading, soft music, breathing relaxation, or a warm bath, and keeping your bedroom cool and dark. Consider banning use of electronics, including your phone, for at least 30 minutes before bedtime, as studies have shown that these devices emit blue light that can be disruptive to sleep. Once you set your routine, be sure to stick with it!

Here’s to many beautiful dreams and happy memories!

President and founder of Total Brain Health, Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author and nationally recognized expert on memory fitness and brain health.

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Early Memory Loss: Why Cognitive Wellness Training Can Help

A colleague recently shared their concern over Miss K., a vibrant woman who seemed to experience a real dip in her memory over the past few months. “She is forgetting details she ordinarily would get,” she said, “and I can tell that it’s keeping her from engaging and getting together with her pals.”

As we age, our risk for changes in memory ability increases significantly, especially for those over age 85. While such changes are not inevitable, and do not necessarily progress, they can be frustrating and even frightening for folks experiencing them. As professionals and caregivers, our desire to find solutions to meet the changing needs of our community members in a way that can help to stave off further decline can be challenging. This is particularly true when we consider the need to do so on a scalable basis.

The good news is research shows there are a number of ways we can efficiently and effectively support those with mild cognitive loss through cognitive wellness training in a group setting. Options for helping everyone live as fully and meaningfully as possible include:

Skills Training. Individuals with early memory changes can benefit from cognitive training targeting skills such as attention, short-term memory, processing speed and executive functions. In one recent study, 145 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) significantly improved on measures of attention and memory after several group cognitive skills training sessions. In-person small group programs are preferable for this population, who can benefit tremendously from the additional intellectual stimulation of working together with peers, rather than alone on a computer or smartphone.

Lifestyle Intervention Training. Those with mild cognitive loss can respond well to modifications of lifestyle factors. Making positive changes in areas such as sleep, medications, and emotional health can significantly impact and support cognition, including attention and memory. Cognitive wellness programs combined with personal coaching can empower residents to take better care of their brain health, and encourage them to engage in wellness offerings that target their specific health concerns. Consider a person-centric approach as a way to make sure individuals are motivated and provided the tools to achieve their wellness goals on their own as well as with support.

Social Support. One of the best interventions for early stage cognitive loss is continued or improved socialization. Social engagement is a known buffer for emotional distress, isolation and loneliness. Less recognized, however, is the critical impact socializing has on cognitive skills. Even informal conversations in the lobby provide a meaningful opportunity to “work out” a myriad of thinking skills including attention, verbal functions, memory, and executive control. It is no wonder that many frail older adults experienced a dip in cognitive abilities during the recent months of lockdown. While this may be due to multiple factors, certainly the loss of contact and socialization played a role in the widespread changes seen.

While cognitive wellness interventions may not arrest the progression of cognitive decline, in many cases early stage interventions can positively impact an individual’s experience, engagement and quality of life in ways that can be quite meaningful. Positive group experiences, moreover, have been shown to bolster mental well-being as well as contribute to overall skills learning. If serving those with transitional cognitive loss is a priority in your community, I suggest looking for ways to integrate these interventions to provide folks with every opportunity to thrive and live well.

President and founder of Total Brain Health, Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author and nationally recognized expert on memory fitness and brain health.

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3 Unexpected Benefits of your Brain Health Investment: What to Know

For many in the active aging space, August is a time of budgets and decision making. While dollars are tight, the pandemic’s impact has proven that the real value of wellness engagement to resident health, connection, and satisfaction is, in fact, priceless.

As you consider how to stretch your allocation for maximum impact, you should know that there are multiple, unexpected ways investing in brain health is a wise move for your wellness impact – and your bottom line.

There really are countless ways making cognitive fitness a priority for your wellness spend brings surprising benefits, but let’s start with my top 3:

1. Brain training benefits your wellness engagement.

Your goal is to deliver wellness options residents will use and love. Look no further than brain fitness, which is a high wellness priority for everyone living in your community. A 2017 survey found that a whopping 72% of the 3,000+ adults say losing their memory is their top worry about aging. Residents not only have identified that they want your help keeping their cognition vital – they vote with their attendance when you include cognitive fitness training on the calendar.

Including cognitive wellness also helps you promote your overall health platform. Current science confirms the strong tie between body, mind, and spirit interventions and sharp thinking, dementia prevention, and living well with memory loss. Going beyond busy packets to well-designed brain health training can raise everyone’s awareness and participation in your fitness, creative, and community offerings.

2. Brain training benefits resident’s autonomy and purpose.

Daily thinking and memory are not the only targets of cognitive wellness – so are the skills needed for independence and vitality. After the pandemic, residents have a renewed commitment to taking care of
their brain health. Providing training options that help them meet those goals benefits their confidence, sense of achievement, and autonomy to direct their own wellness decisions. Opportunities for residents to drive their brain health engagement make it much more likely they will find their time in your program meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful. Adding options such as peer training and program leadership can boost resident autonomy and purpose even more.

3. Brain training benefits your business plan.

Investing in brain training that truly engages your residents pays off for your bottom line as well. High value, meaningful brain training is a differentiator that can set your community apart for prospective community members and their families. While brain teasers may entertain, they do not reflect the serious commitment to cutting edge brain wellness the current marketplace demands. In addition, quality cognitive training contributes to having happy, satisfied residents who feel more deeply connected to each other and to a community that goes beyond the mundane to provide cutting-edge resources that help them thrive. That is, after all, why they moved to your community in the first place — and is most likely what will get them to stay.

Research shows that lifestyle wellness is a main reason folks are drawn to communal living. Further, we know that active wellness participants enjoy a higher quality of life, are more satisfied with living in your community, and stay healthier and independent for about 2 years longer, reducing their cost of care. As a highly sought-after aspect of wellness that brings a bounty of benefits, brain fitness is just a smart investment.

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THE “GREAT SUMMER BRAIN BUILD”

3 EASY STEPS FOR KEEPING YOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGED AND CHALLENGED THIS SUMMER

Summer is near, along with its eternal promise of fun days in the sun and some well-deserved down time. Isn’t it funny that, no matter how old we get, we shift into “summer mode” when the weather warms? You’d almost think we were getting out of school!

Chances are your community calendar slows down for the summer as well. Perhaps you have learned to schedule less as residents or members take advantage of the warmer weather to travel, or you are adjusting to accommodate staff vacations. Or maybe you have just gotten used to lightening the load as June approaches.

You know what doesn’t slow down for the summer? Our brains! We continue to need stimulation, challenge, and connection to keep our thinking sharp, stay social, and help our minds thrive – no matter the date on the calendar. And while no one wants summer assignments (always dreaded in my household!), simply downgrading the chances everyone has to engage can lead to brain drain.

Here’s an idea – host a “Great Summer Brain Build” instead!

This year, why not flip the script and challenge everyone to spend the summer having fun while building better cognitive fitness? A “Great Summer Brain Build” is the perfect way to keep everyone brain healthy while still taking a bit of a scheduling break. You can give folks the tools they need to stay sharp and vital, no matter where they go over the summer months. And you can support their ability to achieve their own personal brain training goals while building affiliation and happiness with all you have to offer – the very essence of person-centric wellness (and key to retention).

Ready to get started? Here are 3 simple steps to offering a “Great Summer Brain Build” in your community.

1.Think outside the boxes on your calendar. Find new, creative ways everyone can use that can be done independently, are portable and require less time. No need to overload the summer schedule! Try express “pop up” workouts that build specific thinking skills, like attention or speedy thinking. Or offer single session virtual classes to master memory for a specific concern, such as names. Ask folks to pick a brain-related wellness pursuit and commit to doing it for their “build” goals. You can even add a community-wide challenge with daily workouts folks do on their own for “points” they earn over the summer.

2. Keep everyone connected. Drive motivation and affiliation by keeping everyone connected to each other and your “home base,” no matter where the summer takes them. Instead of content-driven classes, host drop-in sessions that allow anyone participating in your “Great Summer Brain Build” the chance to check in for support and comradery when they are around. Keep everyone connected through social media with a dedicated group folks can join to share their brain-boosting adventures, ideas, articles and more. Encourage folks to find a “partner in crime” for the brain build – not only are they more likely to meet their training goals in the company of another, they are also more likely to be happier while doing it!

3. Schedule a time to celebrate success. One thing you should definitely put on the calendar? A time to bring everyone together to celebrate the success of your “Great Summer Brain Build.” Let everyone know well in advance when the program will end so they can plan to complete their target goals accordingly. A celebration gives closure to your program and allows folks to applaud their and each other’s achievements. And it’s perfect not only as a wrap-up event, but also a great time to kick off your fall brain training offerings!

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 MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? 

 4 EASY TIPS YOU CAN USE TO BOOST FOCUS AND REV UP RECALL

I was recently asked if there is just one thing everyone could do to rev up their recall, especially after so many months (ok, even years) of feeling so distracted and scattered. Fortunately, I had an easy answer – it’s all about attention. If we focused more effectively on the things we want to retain, we would remember them better.

Of course, improving attention is not quite that easy. Let’s face it, life is full of distractions. We have many things competing for our awareness. Think about how many times you’ve been interrupted – or have interrupted yourself! – over the past hour alone. Perhaps you got a snack, checked your text messages, or took a phone call. In the time that I’ve been working on this piece alone I’ve had to answer a call, help my son edit a paper, and of course check email so I don’t miss anything life altering (hey, you never know).

On top of these tempting distractions, add other attention zappers that sometimes feel less within our control, such as how we sleep or feeling stressed or anxious about something. These are just a few of the lifestyle factors that can frazzle our focus, making it less likely we will remember what someone said, or where we left our keys. Aging can also contribute to the problem. As we gain years, it can be harder to sustain our focus.

Finally, we rarely consider how essential attention is to memory. Why? Well, consider for a moment what it takes to remember. First, we must learn the things that we want to recall later. And that process requires – you’ve got it! – attention. Most often the problem isn’t that we forget, but rather than we didn’t “get” the name or directions in the first place.

The good news is that we can all build better attention – and that it isn’t hard to do. And boosting your focus can do wonders for your recall. Here are 4 easy steps you can take to build better attention and memory starting now:

1. Pay attention to your attention. Be aware when you want to remember something for later, such as where you parked your car or the address where you are meeting someone for lunch. Then hit an intentional pause and bring your focus to that moment to make sure you effectively get the information.

2. Train your attention. Research shows we can improve our focus with training, no matter our age. Try game-based training that challenges attention. Playing against the clock is one of my favorite options, as we must stay focused and be fast and nimble in our thinking to do well (and we have fun, which makes the training go faster!).

3. Pay attention to how you live. Daily factors such as fatigue, poor diet, social isolation, and emotional distress can really drain your attention. Think about the daily choices that may be affecting your attention. You can experience a significant boost to focus and even memory ability by leading a lifestyle that supports healthy attention.

4. Stop Overtasking! The human brain is still, well, human! There is only so much we can handle at one time. Protect your attention and your time with some easy strategies that keep you from over-dividing your attention. For example, I use the “do not disturb” setting on my computer when I need to concentrate on a project or have a deadline. This gives me longer chunks of time without the distraction of emails or messages (which invariably are not life altering). Put “do not disturb” signs up when you are working on things that require focus. And try rewarding yourself with a favorite distraction (a game, a walk around the block) when you’ve successfully completed a task and are ready for a break.

In fact, now that I’ve finished this article, I think it’s time to refill my water bottle. Here’s to paying better attention to our attention!

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Here’s To A Year Filled With Brain Play! 3 Ways Letting Our Brains Play Is Just What 2022 Ordered

The playwright George Bernard Shaw once said,  “we don’t stop playing because we grow old,  we grow old because we stop playing.” While  

Shaw might not have known it at the time, current research shows that when it comes to brain training, he was right.  What better time to bring more play to our programs than the fresh start of a new year?  

Here are 3 reasons why adding play to your brain training is one of the best ways you can bring state of the science cognitive wellness to your community, as well as some fun tips you can use to help everyone kick off 2022 with some play filled brain workouts. 

Reason #1: Play targets the thinking skills impacted by aging 

Aging is known to diminish specific abilities key to our daily functioning, such as sustained attention, speedy  thinking, cognitive flexibility, and short-term memory. Changes in these essential skills can make it harder to stay  physically active, pursue our passions or even stay social. However, experts have found that these skills can be  maintained and even improved with training, no matter our age. Play, especially against the clock, is a ready way  we can engage in the targeted workouts proven to support and even sharpen our thinking. And effective, play based training doesn’t require much commitment. Even short, bursts of activity for a few minutes a day can add up  to be a powerful way to fit brain boosting into everyone’s daily routine. Try taking just 5 minutes to challenge folks  to name all the car models they can, or to create a group poem together by quickly having to offer a line at their  turn. You can even “pop up” in unexpected places or times to give everyone the chance to brain play. 

Reason #2: Play offers the novelty our brains crave 

Our brains really love novelty. Research shows that when something is new to us, we release increased levels  of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which primes the pleasure centers in our brains. What better way to tap that  novelty-driven brain boost than through play? Play gives us a continual opportunity for unexpected outcomes, even when the structure of the game or workout is the same. Each round we play, no matter how familiar the  game, offers its own element of surprise. Play-based cognitive training takes advantage of the benefits of novelty  to deepen the benefits of the workout by motivating us to fully engaged, to learn, and to be empowered to  change and grow. Try cognitive workouts that have an unexpected twist, such as improv exercises like “Yes and…” or creative art exercises such as the famous surrealist art game “exquisite corpse,” where students are asked  to draw on part of a sheet folded in fourths, not seeing or knowing what others are drawing on the other folded  sections.  

Reason #3: Play makes brain training fun and sustainable 

Resolutions to improve our well-being are ever popular at the start of the year. Unfortunately, our promises to  “do better” rarely are kept. Why do so many of us fail to meet our new year’s health goals? Experts tell us that a  major roadblock to making our resolutions stick is that it’s just plain hard to keep up the momentum long enough  to really change our habits. One way we can make our brain health (or any) resolutions more sustainable is by  making that training more playful. Play is fun! It can keep training from getting too tedious and make the work a  bit lighter and less burdensome. In addition, the novelty of play increases the chances we will stay engaged and  excited to learn and change. Finally, play gives us an easy way to join with others in the pursuit of our resolutions.  That additional level of social engagement not only boosts our chances of achieving our health goals but can  benefit our thinking and other aspects of well-being. You can boost the fun and sustainability of everyone’s brain  training goals with the proven benefits of gamification, which uses game-based play elements such as points,  badges, or prizes to drive ongoing work towards a health goal. Try a 1 week brain training point-based challenge  or a community-wide team competition that encourages folks to socialize and support each other as they work  towards better brain health.  

No matter how you integrate play to your cognitive fitness program, it is certain to bring an added boost that folks will benefit from.  

Here’s to a new year filled with many play-filled moments of building better brain health for everyone! 

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