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Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness
OVER 40? GETTING FORGETFUL? TROUBLE LEARNING NEW TRICKS?
Introducing Neurobics, a unique brain exercise program based on the latest neuroscience research. These deceptively simple exercises help stimulate the production of nutrients that grow brain cells to keep the brain younger and stronger. Neurobics uses the five senses in unexpected ways and shakes up everyday routines. The exercises are offbeat, fun, and can be done anywhere, anytime. The result: a mind fit to meet any challenge-whether it's remembering a name, mastering a new computer program, or staying creative in your work.
148 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
June 26, 2024
“Neurobics requires you to do two simple things you may have neglected in your lifestyle: Experience the unexpected and enlist the aid of all your senses in the course of the day.” p. 31
I like the idea of this book, but the ideas themselves are hit or miss. All are very doable and some we all do already, but others are just not something most of us would actually do without feeling and maybe even looking a bit strange.
That said, mixing it up and trying new things is good for your brain so go ahead and take a different route to work, switch seats at the dinner table, or try your hand at kite-flying as a new leisure activity. We can all find novel ways to activate our senses and engage our brain in new ways thus maintaining and improving our mental ability.
This would make a good 5 minute or less TED talk.
I like the idea of this book, but the ideas themselves are hit or miss. All are very doable and some we all do already, but others are just not something most of us would actually do without feeling and maybe even looking a bit strange.
That said, mixing it up and trying new things is good for your brain so go ahead and take a different route to work, switch seats at the dinner table, or try your hand at kite-flying as a new leisure activity. We can all find novel ways to activate our senses and engage our brain in new ways thus maintaining and improving our mental ability.
This would make a good 5 minute or less TED talk.
January 19, 2020
Some nice ideas:
basically mix it up,
do things like you don't do them usually,
use associations,
maintain neuroplasticity,
practice synesthesia (loved this one!)
-1 star 'cause it's all very merry-go-round ideas that are sorta widely known (other than self-induced synesthesia, must think about that one!)
basically mix it up,
do things like you don't do them usually,
use associations,
maintain neuroplasticity,
practice synesthesia (loved this one!)
-1 star 'cause it's all very merry-go-round ideas that are sorta widely known (other than self-induced synesthesia, must think about that one!)
March 19, 2015
I picked this up after viewing the Bodyworlds exhibit in Chicago.
I loved the concrete ideas this book provides to switch up your routine, though some were impractical. (for example, driving with your eyes closed)
It's an interesting book but not the type you need to buy and read because the two sole takeaways could just be summarized as: (1) Shake up your routine; and (2) Use senses you normally wouldn't for a given task.
I loved the concrete ideas this book provides to switch up your routine, though some were impractical. (for example, driving with your eyes closed)
It's an interesting book but not the type you need to buy and read because the two sole takeaways could just be summarized as: (1) Shake up your routine; and (2) Use senses you normally wouldn't for a given task.
June 9, 2021
Pretty basic stuff here. Not impressed. But I suppose for someone completely new to the subject it could serve as an adequate starting point to their journey into neurobics and neuroplasticity.
December 23, 2021
This was OK. I was hoping for some logic problems or puzzles. It was mostly just encouraging you to give your brain novel experiences like brush your teeth with the wrong hand or drive on the wrong side of the road while sniffing glue.
February 24, 2017
Really, I'd give it about 3.5 stars. Lots of practical things you can do to prevent/improve memory issues. And some nice, simple explanations in the beginning of the book re how your brain works (especially regarding memory and associations) and how the exercises in the book relate. There is also a bibliography so you can check out all the research it's based on. This book came out in 1999, but still plenty of useful info.
December 29, 2016
A book full of ridiculous and meaningless exercises that are supposed to keep our brain alive.
The main concept of the book is that routines kill the novelty factor in the brain and this would lead our mind to stay in the autopilot mode which offers no development for the mind, so here's an 80+ stupid activities you can do to trigger your senses, and waste your time, which can be summarized as: smell everything, taste everything, start doing routine stuff using your left hand and with eyes closed if possible.
This book is overly simplified and doesn't contain much valuable informations about the mind, but hey it's full of fun pictures so it could be a good read for the kids. :)
The main concept of the book is that routines kill the novelty factor in the brain and this would lead our mind to stay in the autopilot mode which offers no development for the mind, so here's an 80+ stupid activities you can do to trigger your senses, and waste your time, which can be summarized as: smell everything, taste everything, start doing routine stuff using your left hand and with eyes closed if possible.
This book is overly simplified and doesn't contain much valuable informations about the mind, but hey it's full of fun pictures so it could be a good read for the kids. :)
September 10, 2016
لطيف وخفيف وفيه كمية معلومات لا بأس بها من الممكن الإستعانة بها لتنمية الذاكرة .
فايدة الكتاب الحقيقة إنه القى الضوء على أهمية التذكير على العناية بالذاكرة واللياقة الذهنية من سن صغير ..
فايدة الكتاب الحقيقة إنه القى الضوء على أهمية التذكير على العناية بالذاكرة واللياقة الذهنية من سن صغير ..
October 31, 2018
nice book about mental fitness, it has a lot of fun and interesting brain exercisers
August 26, 2012
This book is pretty neat. I am always interested in ways to help prevent memory loss or increase mental fitness. When I was young one of my elementary teachers use to tell us that most humans use a small fraction of their brain and that even the smartest person on earth didn't completely use his entire brain to it's maximum potential. The only reason I recall that story is because I think since hearing that when I was a child, I have always wanted to make sure that my mind didn't go unused. This book has some pretty good advise in ways to gt yourself to test your mental strengths. For example, I would never really think that using your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth would be a big deal but in reality once I thought about it I guess it would make sense that it would trigger some type of effect on your brain and the connections from your actions to the brain. I am not saying that this book is life changing or profound but it is neat and interesting and like doing some of the exercises in it to challenge myself.
July 31, 2016
Interesting exercises aimed (primarily) at 40+ people who feel as if their losing their 'edge' mentally. As someone perpetually worried about Alzheimer's and dementia (after witnessing it first hand growing up with my great grandma) and with my 13+ concussions, I am always looking out for things like this - books to help cognitively, (as well as looking out for my own symptoms of failing mental issues); I sadly found this book lacking a fair bit. It's basically aimed at your senses (taste, touch, smell, hearing, etc.) and making you do things differently to 'rewire' or at least make your brain 'work harder' at simple tasks. Ie. brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand. Eating with your eyes closed, etc.
Not quite sure how 100% effective these are, and looking to try some of these, but some are rather impractical for most people, and a lot of this is aimed at the middle-aged white male. But I think it's definitely a good start to get people to think about their own mental health and to start warding off failures in cognitive ability.
Not quite sure how 100% effective these are, and looking to try some of these, but some are rather impractical for most people, and a lot of this is aimed at the middle-aged white male. But I think it's definitely a good start to get people to think about their own mental health and to start warding off failures in cognitive ability.
November 18, 2016
Too generic to be helpful.
I was expecting a book of puzzles or something similar. Instead, this book gives general pieces of advice such as: while you're driving, try to do something else, etc.
And yes, you read that correct. While you're driving.
(The authors obviously are clueless about the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers.)
Examples of some other advice given: observe stuff you normally would not while taking walks, doing chores, etc.
D-U-H.
I was more interested in reading the very back of the book where the authors list various studies on cognition and their findings. Wish those studies had been expanded upon instead.
I was expecting a book of puzzles or something similar. Instead, this book gives general pieces of advice such as: while you're driving, try to do something else, etc.
And yes, you read that correct. While you're driving.
(The authors obviously are clueless about the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers.)
Examples of some other advice given: observe stuff you normally would not while taking walks, doing chores, etc.
D-U-H.
I was more interested in reading the very back of the book where the authors list various studies on cognition and their findings. Wish those studies had been expanded upon instead.
December 23, 2011
This is a quick-read but very interesting and practical. The gist of the book is to improve memory, you need to keep your active and use all of your senses. “Routines can be brain deadening.” Basically, learn to enjoy new experiences, change things around, interact with people and change up routines.
The most startling thing I learned from reading this book is: "Research has shown that watching television literally numbs the mind: The brain is less active during TV-viewing than during sleep!" (p. 117)
The most startling thing I learned from reading this book is: "Research has shown that watching television literally numbs the mind: The brain is less active during TV-viewing than during sleep!" (p. 117)
March 12, 2014
I LOVED this book! So many good ideas to keep your brain mentally strong! The premise of the book is that brains needs variety. Break the routines! Good ideas are given such as change your routine driving routes, shop at different stores, get dressed with your eyes closed, and rearrange your desk often.
It's kind of funny - I change things all of the time, rearrange my clasroom, change routine, eat different foods, change my evening routine, etc. I guess I am already very neuronic!!!
It's kind of funny - I change things all of the time, rearrange my clasroom, change routine, eat different foods, change my evening routine, etc. I guess I am already very neuronic!!!
November 24, 2012
A short book, a quick read. Not a new book, I bought this for my Mom about 10 years ago and just recently found it while sorting through some stuff. The basic premise of this book is to do things differently in order to force the brain to make new connections, "neurobics". We are more apt to tag information for long term memory if it has social significance. So social interactions are key. I also learned that by listening to audio books I am using more of my brain than just looking at words!
April 5, 2018
4 günde bitirdiğim bir kitap. Yaş ilerledikçe unutkanlığın arttığını ve bunu önlemenin tekniklerini söylediği bir kitap. Zihnimizin 20li yaşlardaki gibi kalmayacağını ve mental egzersizleri sık sık yapmamız gerektiğini söylüyor. 20li yaşımın başında olmama rağmen bu tarz şeylerde bilgilenmekten keyif aldığımı söylemeliyim.
January 12, 2024
I read nothing , that i did not know. Book Talks about breaking the pattern. what i liked though , was , that it was concise and to the point , without going through nuances of scientific research. No harm in reading once.
November 9, 2015
The bottomline: change. Dont succumb into routines, instead divert, amend, interact, improv. In that way, the brains has more work to do, more practice, more exercises. Neurobics for a healthier brain and a healthier you.
April 28, 2016
The author proposes a series of exercises that you can perform on a daily basis to improve brain function. I am not sure I believe these can really exercise your brain but I am willing to try to brush my teeth with my left hand and a few other tricks to see if I feel any smarter.
July 24, 2011
This is a great book on keeping your mind alive. There are tons of exercises to challenge the way you think. Some simple, some difficult...but all engaging.
December 18, 2013
Basically "try something new and break the routine". Not very novel suggestions (Cook something from scratch, go to a Farmer's Market, eat with your non-dominant hand)
September 12, 2017
Not mind-blowing, but provides good pointers on keeping sharp.
March 4, 2021
O livro Mantenha o Seu Cérebro Vivo do neurobiólogo estadunidense Lawrence C. Katz foi realmente uma bela relevação em quase todo os sentidos.
Nunca fui o maior fã da literatura de auto ajuda; na verdade, sempre achei uma grande bobagem essas promessas de melhora em alguma parte da sua vida mostrando assuntos superficiais sem qualquer embasamento acadêmico ou até mesmo lógico na maioria dos casos. Corro dos livros de finanças e desses que conversam sobre o assunto mais "psicológicos" tem a tendência de cair para o lado "inspiração interna" do que uma resposta propriamente dita.
Pensei que teria uma experiência relativa com este. Porém, fui agraciado com uma obra simples, concisa, e com bastante referencial acadêmico.
A obra é direta no assunto: Dicas sobre Exercícios Neuróbicos, que são treinamentos cognitivos multi sensoriais para fixação de assuntos ou para recordações.
As dicas são dividas em espaços da nossa rotina como: acordar, ir ao trabalho, no trabalho e antes dormir. Cada uma delas procurando a quebra da rotina imposta para gerar atividade neural capaz de estimular a nossa agilidade. Tais exercícios são extremamente simples e consistem basicamente em: escovar os dentes com a mão não dominante até pegar o caminho mais longo voltando do trabalho e por ai vai.
Achei uma leitura tranquila, super didática, não cria promessas e não estende o assunto. Alem de te compra com o referencial bibliográfico de peso. Recomendo demais a quem está interessado. Só não achei na amazon, porém está disponível na estante virtual e como audiobook na autibooks.
Nunca fui o maior fã da literatura de auto ajuda; na verdade, sempre achei uma grande bobagem essas promessas de melhora em alguma parte da sua vida mostrando assuntos superficiais sem qualquer embasamento acadêmico ou até mesmo lógico na maioria dos casos. Corro dos livros de finanças e desses que conversam sobre o assunto mais "psicológicos" tem a tendência de cair para o lado "inspiração interna" do que uma resposta propriamente dita.
Pensei que teria uma experiência relativa com este. Porém, fui agraciado com uma obra simples, concisa, e com bastante referencial acadêmico.
A obra é direta no assunto: Dicas sobre Exercícios Neuróbicos, que são treinamentos cognitivos multi sensoriais para fixação de assuntos ou para recordações.
As dicas são dividas em espaços da nossa rotina como: acordar, ir ao trabalho, no trabalho e antes dormir. Cada uma delas procurando a quebra da rotina imposta para gerar atividade neural capaz de estimular a nossa agilidade. Tais exercícios são extremamente simples e consistem basicamente em: escovar os dentes com a mão não dominante até pegar o caminho mais longo voltando do trabalho e por ai vai.
Achei uma leitura tranquila, super didática, não cria promessas e não estende o assunto. Alem de te compra com o referencial bibliográfico de peso. Recomendo demais a quem está interessado. Só não achei na amazon, porém está disponível na estante virtual e como audiobook na autibooks.
June 23, 2019
This is a book preaching the methodology of neurobics. It is presented as a novel way to help you improve brain functionality. Some evidence is provided to support the claim.
And then there's the exercises. Too many exercises, not enough concrete evidence related to them.
Instead of showing so many exercises, and presenting no information about how someone behaves while performing them, it should have provided some more evidence of the impact of their neurobic exercises on people.
The exercises are fine, and some of them are really novel and exciting as well. But the repetitive nature makes them seem cumbersome. Also, a lack of the emotional way of adding to neurobics personally made me feel a bit bummed. I was really looking forward to how the authors suggest neurobics can be accomplished via emotional connections and building off previous information. There's a bit of these things sprinkled within the 83 exercises. But it's not enough for me.
Overall, I'd say this is a decent book, with some good exercises that can be tried out. But by no means is this a revolutionary book, or one which has to be adhered to for guaranteed results.
One specific thing I'd like to say is : the target audience of this book was people over 40 or so ages. But i think everyone can benefit from neurobics. Maybe the absence of a generalized approach made this book seem a bit dull for me.
And then there's the exercises. Too many exercises, not enough concrete evidence related to them.
Instead of showing so many exercises, and presenting no information about how someone behaves while performing them, it should have provided some more evidence of the impact of their neurobic exercises on people.
The exercises are fine, and some of them are really novel and exciting as well. But the repetitive nature makes them seem cumbersome. Also, a lack of the emotional way of adding to neurobics personally made me feel a bit bummed. I was really looking forward to how the authors suggest neurobics can be accomplished via emotional connections and building off previous information. There's a bit of these things sprinkled within the 83 exercises. But it's not enough for me.
Overall, I'd say this is a decent book, with some good exercises that can be tried out. But by no means is this a revolutionary book, or one which has to be adhered to for guaranteed results.
One specific thing I'd like to say is : the target audience of this book was people over 40 or so ages. But i think everyone can benefit from neurobics. Maybe the absence of a generalized approach made this book seem a bit dull for me.
January 21, 2024
The premise of this short volume is that you can strengthen your brain by doing exercises the authors call “neurobics.” Get it?
The exercises mostly have to do with breaking free from routines and challenging yourself to do new things ranging from the way you shop in the supermarket to the paths you take to work.
Despite its silly and unscientific charts, most of this book makes sense. For instance, think about our over-reliance on the sense of sight — when we were children, we would incorporate more of our senses into new experiences, like a baby shaking and tasting a rattle. The book urges the reader to shake things up a bit from a sensory standpoint. Trying to remember a new person’s name? Think about the sound of their voice. Or maybe they have a particular smell (hopefully a good one). What is the feel of their hand as you shake it?
Many exercises seem valid, but some are questionable. Trying the opposite hand for brushing teeth or buttoning shirts might have some benefits. Want to make your workplace more stimulating? Go on a walk. I’ll buy that. Change the location of a garbage can. Not so sure. Also, I’m not eager to create a “scent container” that I whiff as I’m driving to create “scent tags” of certain locations, nor am I likely to create a pots and pans band with my friends.
The exercises mostly have to do with breaking free from routines and challenging yourself to do new things ranging from the way you shop in the supermarket to the paths you take to work.
Despite its silly and unscientific charts, most of this book makes sense. For instance, think about our over-reliance on the sense of sight — when we were children, we would incorporate more of our senses into new experiences, like a baby shaking and tasting a rattle. The book urges the reader to shake things up a bit from a sensory standpoint. Trying to remember a new person’s name? Think about the sound of their voice. Or maybe they have a particular smell (hopefully a good one). What is the feel of their hand as you shake it?
Many exercises seem valid, but some are questionable. Trying the opposite hand for brushing teeth or buttoning shirts might have some benefits. Want to make your workplace more stimulating? Go on a walk. I’ll buy that. Change the location of a garbage can. Not so sure. Also, I’m not eager to create a “scent container” that I whiff as I’m driving to create “scent tags” of certain locations, nor am I likely to create a pots and pans band with my friends.
December 14, 2020
The brain science part of this book was very interesting - but the majority of the book - the brain exercises, are somewhat dated and narrowly focused. Obviously aimed at people in middle-age when the book was published, 2009, the assumed lifestyle does not apply as well now in 2020. In addition, the two male authors assume all readers are like them - so the brain exercises assume readers are heterosexual cis white male homeowners, married with children, with professional jobs that require a commute by car and sitting at a computer most of the day. They also assume a certain amount of free time and affluence. The gist of the book is that labor-saving devices and habits make the connections in the brain atrophy - if your life is too easy and repetitive, then at a certain point in life, you will start to loose brain function. It does beg the question, was any of this brain research done on women or minorities, and did anyone ask the question, do older women maintain healthy brains longer after retirement than men? If so, why is that? That is the book I would love to read.
December 22, 2020
Hace poco escuché la historia de la tía de una persona la cual cumplía 100 años de edad este mes, por lo que se generó el debate en la mesa acerca de cual es el secreto para llegar a esa edad y sin haber leído este libro nos dimos cuenta de que era la socialización... para mantener nuestro cerebro vivo hemos de mantener una relación estrecha entre nosotros y las personas que nos rodean.
Los Neurobics, los aerobics del cerebro, se basan en varios principios entre los que resaltan la socialización, el constante cambio de las rutinas y el uso de los 5 sentidos en la mayoría de actividades cotidianas, los neurobics nos permite mejorar las conexiones entre el córtex y la parte interna de nuestro cerebro, especialmente el hipocampo, lo que se traduce es más caminos por los cuales las ideas y los pensamientos fluyen con mayor facilidad de neurona a neurona, muy buen libro que incluye 2 capítulos esenciales acerca del funcionamiento del cerebro.
Los Neurobics, los aerobics del cerebro, se basan en varios principios entre los que resaltan la socialización, el constante cambio de las rutinas y el uso de los 5 sentidos en la mayoría de actividades cotidianas, los neurobics nos permite mejorar las conexiones entre el córtex y la parte interna de nuestro cerebro, especialmente el hipocampo, lo que se traduce es más caminos por los cuales las ideas y los pensamientos fluyen con mayor facilidad de neurona a neurona, muy buen libro que incluye 2 capítulos esenciales acerca del funcionamiento del cerebro.
January 4, 2023
Wasn't what I thought it would be.
The first part is interesting but too wordy explaining what neurobic exercises are.
I thought it would be logic problems and things to work out, puzzle-wise.
It wasn't that at all. It was about re-wiring you brain and there are some pretty silly (and/or dumb) suggestions of things to do.
Such as, my favorite... shower AND SHAVE with your eyes closed.
Start your car with your eyes closed.
Put sandpaper on your steering wheel, for a different tactile driving experience.
Make up a tune singing the serial numbers on your dollar bill.
Yeah... no.
The one thing I thought might actually be fun to do? "Collect a group of items in pairs: earrings, paper clips, screws, erasers, coins, pens, pencils, plastic lunch forks, knives, spoons, and so on. Mix them all together on a table and, with eyes closed, pair them up using only your sense of touch."
The first part is interesting but too wordy explaining what neurobic exercises are.
I thought it would be logic problems and things to work out, puzzle-wise.
It wasn't that at all. It was about re-wiring you brain and there are some pretty silly (and/or dumb) suggestions of things to do.
Such as, my favorite... shower AND SHAVE with your eyes closed.
Start your car with your eyes closed.
Put sandpaper on your steering wheel, for a different tactile driving experience.
Make up a tune singing the serial numbers on your dollar bill.
Yeah... no.
The one thing I thought might actually be fun to do? "Collect a group of items in pairs: earrings, paper clips, screws, erasers, coins, pens, pencils, plastic lunch forks, knives, spoons, and so on. Mix them all together on a table and, with eyes closed, pair them up using only your sense of touch."
January 14, 2019
كتيب للجيب..صغير بالحجم كبير بالفائدة..يحوي على 80 تماريناً بسيطاً ممكن اتباعها بالبيت أو العمل أو حتى بالتسوق..كلها تستهدف تنيشط الذهن وتقوية الذاكرة..فكرته الأساسية قائمة على مبدأ كسر الروتين واتباع أنماط مختلفة وجديدة بالحياة باستخدام جميع الحواس..
الفصلين الأول والثاني يتحدث فيهما عن أهمية التمرينات وتركيبة المخ وأجزائها وكذلك عن طريقة عمل المخ..فصلين بمحتوى علمي مهم جداً..
أما الفصل الثالث فيوضح فيه الطرق المثلى لنجاح التمارين العقلية..كيف تشرك حواسك المختلفة في تنشيط الذهن..وكيف يعمل المخ في تلك الحالة..وفي نهاية الفصل يشرح لنا طريقة استخدام هذا الكتاب وتمارينه..
والفصول الأخرى تحوي التمارين العقلية التي سيقوم القاريء بتنفيذهم..
.
.
~اقتباسات:
* عندما نخرج عن أنماطنا المعتادة ونستخدم حواسنا بطرق مستحدثة، فإننا نستثير الخلايا العصبية، ومن ثم نسهم في زيادة نمو المخ وقدراته ونشاطه.
* تعد تمارين العقل شكلاً جديداً من التمارين المصممة لتساعدك على الحفاظ على يقظة الذهن وصحة العقل.
الفصلين الأول والثاني يتحدث فيهما عن أهمية التمرينات وتركيبة المخ وأجزائها وكذلك عن طريقة عمل المخ..فصلين بمحتوى علمي مهم جداً..
أما الفصل الثالث فيوضح فيه الطرق المثلى لنجاح التمارين العقلية..كيف تشرك حواسك المختلفة في تنشيط الذهن..وكيف يعمل المخ في تلك الحالة..وفي نهاية الفصل يشرح لنا طريقة استخدام هذا الكتاب وتمارينه..
والفصول الأخرى تحوي التمارين العقلية التي سيقوم القاريء بتنفيذهم..
.
.
~اقتباسات:
* عندما نخرج عن أنماطنا المعتادة ونستخدم حواسنا بطرق مستحدثة، فإننا نستثير الخلايا العصبية، ومن ثم نسهم في زيادة نمو المخ وقدراته ونشاطه.
* تعد تمارين العقل شكلاً جديداً من التمارين المصممة لتساعدك على الحفاظ على يقظة الذهن وصحة العقل.
March 22, 2021
This book is very informative and goes into great detail about the function and structure of the brain. The takeaway of the book is that the human mind thrives on novelty so switch things up. The authors offers suggestions on how to do this; however, I don't think this book is as helpful as other brain training books which use puzzles and games, simply because it is far easier to encourage an ageing relative to do a puzzle than it is to persuade them to change their routine or use their non dominant hand. If you are looking for a concise well written book on memory, this is a great book. If you are looking for easy practical ways to improve memory, I would recommend one of the many puzzle books aimed at adults.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews