This Week’s Q&A
Q: Since my brain injury, I have memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Is there anything I can do to improve this?
A: There was a time when doctors assumed that the brain, once damaged, couldn’t regain any of it’s previous functions, but thankfully we have progressed beyond that limited evaluation.
We now know that there are things we can do to improve brain functioning after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition to the rehabilitation that the doctor will recommend after an injury, there are a variety of exercises that you can do on your own that will help to boost brain power.
Some researchers claim that music incites increased brain function by creating connections between the right and left brain hemisphere. The interplay that allows you to learn music utilizes both your creativity and your reasoning, strengthening cognitive capacities and developing better organization skills. By learning a new musical skill, you potentially improve your mind’s flexibility.
Others stress the importance of physical exercise, especially aerobic activities. While this area still needs more study in order to clarify what specific processes are happening to cause improved memory and general mental function, there have been a handful of seemingly conclusive tests creating a definite link between the two. Some speculate that it’s the increased blood flow bringing oxygen to the brain that promotes these beneficial effects. This doesn’t mean that you need to run for hours a day. Find an activity that you enjoy, be it running or biking, hiking or swimming, and try to increase the time spent doing it.
Besides learning a new musical skill or upping your aerobic activity, you can also practice brain exercises that will help you to increase your capacity to process information with speed and efficiency. There are a wide assortment of books and Websites that not only detail different activities, but walk you through them. Here are a few to get you started:
Whichever steps you decide to take to improve and even regain your cognitive capabilities, keep in mind that scientists are just starting to discover the brain’s recuperative abilities. Don’t give up hope!
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July 29th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for the workbook suggestions, I’ll be checking those out. I’ve always wanted to learn a musical instrument so maybe this is my cue to finally do it!