For my elderly counseling clients, brain training software is of interest. Most of us Boomers and Seniors have noticed the changes that come to mind with our age, and we are definitely interested in managing that change, so it doesn’t get worse.

Some of my younger clients are curious about how brain training software could make them more effective in the job market or at school.

And I’m excited to share with them what I’ve learned about the emerging concept of brain fitness.

In fact, taking care of your brain fitness should happen before choosing brain training software.

You may wonder why I should take care of my brain health, isn’t it always there, working to move my hand to the computer mouse, thinking and monitoring?

Yes, your brain does all of that, and it has a couple of newfound capabilities, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, that we can enhance by giving the brain what it needs to function better.

So brain fitness problem means taking care of brain hardware first and then choosing some brain training software to help improve memory or IQ for example.

An excellent manual for brain fitness is the e-book titled Brainfit for Life by Simon Evans, Ph.D. and Paul Burghardt, Ph.D., neuroscientists at the University of Michigan who have curated neuroscientific research for tips that we non-neuroscientists can use to make our brains more effective as they move us through the events of our day and our lives.

Evans and Burghardt write about what they call the pillars of brain fitness, which are physical activity/exercise, nutrition, including antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, good sleep, stress management, and a novel learning experience, which This is where a brain training software program could come in handy.

If we maximize our efforts to take care of the pillars, we maximize our neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.

Neurogenesis means we grow new neurons every day, and neuroplasticity means we form new connections between neurons sometimes within minutes of learning something new, and keeping those connections strong through increased challenge and positive feedback is key. to keep the brain fit.

Once the brain is fit, choose the brain training software

So after you’ve started a regular exercise program, which will lead to better sleep, which is the time our brain uses to consolidate memories, and you’ve increased your intake of antioxidants and omega 3s, and learned biofeedback from heart rate variability for your stress. management, then you’re ready to tackle the new pillar of the brain fitness learning experience, which is where brain training software could come in handy.

Most experts who write about brain fitness say that the new learning experience required to enhance neuroplasticity and neurogenesis is the kind we experience when learning a new language or a new musical instrument, because those efforts expose us to increasing levels of complexity. and regular practice gives us the opportunity to achieve appropriate levels of positive feedback.

I’m not sure about you, but even with retirement looming in my life, I don’t have time to embark on a language or instrument regimen, so I’ll be looking for a brain training software that has some research behind it to try.

I really like three brain training software programs. The first is based on the dual n back task, discussed by Evans and Burghardt. The following is the program put together by Michael Merzenich, Ph.D., which exercises the neurons in the auditory circuitry of the elderly.

The program using the dual n back task is addictive and will quickly teach you how quickly your attention wanders, the Merzenich program really helps remember words and the online tool is a quick, easy to use and inexpensive tool that I can boot. and I use between clients or phone calls to give my brain a break between stressful situations.

I guess once you find a program you like, using brain training software will become a regular part of your day.

There are some significant side effects, such as a higher IQ and better communication and relationships. If I can process auditory data more effectively, I become a more confident listener, which is a much more important cog in relationships than talking.

So my suggestion is that you start with the pillars of brain fitness and then find brain training software. I know Boomer-driven research will continue to improve, so keep your ears peeled for more.