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The need to restore cognitive abilities has become especially acute during the coronavirus pandemic: one of the typical consequences of covid is a decrease in intellectual abilities. The expert explains how you can restore the power of the brain.
Doctor, leading expert of the National Medical Association for the development of expert activities in the field of laboratory diagnostics «MedLabExpert» Alexander Solovyov told «Doctor Peter» what exercises will help to cope with the cognitive consequences of covid.
Here are eight exercises that Alexander Solovyov suggests doing regularly — they are especially good because for the most part they do not require much time and are easily integrated into everyday life.
1. Peripheral vision training
This exercise goes well with relaxation outside the home (in the park, in the forest, in any new place). Look straight ahead without moving your eyes, and focus on everything that comes into view without moving your eyes, especially in peripheral areas. Closing your eyes, mentally recreate the fixed visual picture, then try again, adding to the list of what you saw.
2. Playing musical instruments
This requires many interconnected actions of different parts of the brain. And you don’t have to buy a piano. Playing the ukulele, glucophone are just a few of the musical instruments available.
3. Right-handed to be left-handed, left-handed to be right-handed
Try to use the «wrong» hand in normal daily activities. If you are right-handed, start brushing your teeth with your left hand. As soon as you become confident in doing this, move on to difficult tasks: use the “wrong” hand while eating, writing or drawing.
4. Ball games
Even the simplest small ball games improve the brain and the interaction between different parts of the brain. Simple tosses, hand-to-hand tosses, bowl throws, wall throws, and bouncing balls… You can even do some juggling.
5. Puzzles, especially big ones
Putting together puzzles involves a visual processing system—scanning small parts, subtle differences in shape and color, fine motor skills, switching from a small puzzle to the big picture, constructing a coherent picture.
6. Learn and sing new songs
When a person sings, his brain intensively produces endorphins, called hormones of joy. Singing increases vitality, enhances the ability to concentrate, increases physical and intellectual activity.
7. Walk on uneven surfaces
It improves the vestibular system, develops balance and balance control. A cobbled road, country walks over rough terrain, climbing mountains — not only walking on asphalt.
8. Crochet or knitting
This is a very good way to train fine motor skills, faultless actions, alertness and attention.