Elspeth
The neurobics class worked so well at the end of March that they could afford to have the afternoon off for Anzac Day. We'll crank up the cerebral circuits again in May.
Elspeth I'm confident that all those who came along for neurobics had their brains suitably challenged, with links leaping from across the midline, important in quick thinking as well as physical balance & falls prevention.
Elspeth Maconachie Words, sequence puzzles and memory training gave a range of challenges in October, but in November a smaller group concentrated on clue types common in cryptic crosswords. Thus, we tested our recall of such things as foreign phrases, homophones (due & dew), and Roman numerals (vivid). Cryptic are best approached with mental flexibility, so we warmed up by drawing mirror images of such objects as a curly cobra and a yacht.
Elspeth Maconachie Some (slightly) easier puzzles this month including tech savvy lingo (fyi) and cryptic clues with a gathering whose number was back nearer full strength.
Elspeth Recall of words and pictures, anagrams, art and sequence spotting all gave the grey matter a chance to exercise in September. Elspeth
Nifty numbers, drawing, memory and anagrams took most of our time.
We agreed that we remember best if we have a motive, make an association or see a pattern. While the mature brain has a wealth of links and material, calling it up can take extra minutes and we also need to be deliberate in giving attention to new information, such as names, for easier recall. Elspeth Maconachie Elspeth went to extremes this month to prove the need for continuation of neurobic workouts by forgetting ‘Brain Games’ was on. Luckily, she was in town and able to drop by the room and put on a fairly convincing act, muttering things about lost phones, covid tests, medical appointments and other distractions.
Let's hope the group humours her by giving her a chance to turn up on August 23rd! Elspeth Maconachie This is not for softies as gears and cogs grind almost audibly while we search for neuronal pathways unused for years or in the process of making connections.
Luckily the brain has no pain receptors and enjoys being prompted to improve service provision! Elspeth For our April session, I planned a variety of smaller tasks as I knew the group had worked very hard in Feb. We didn't do as much on memory, though as usual, new neural pathways will have been sparked. I hope you weren't too offput by my wisecrack about forgetting to attend!
In May we did a good range of challenges but they were harder than they looked: many tricks to learn and neural pathways to be built. Luckily it's never too late to fire up the brain! Elspeth Maconachie It was serious brainwork for our second session, with emphasis on memory and some cryptic homework.
Some, who clearly need the work, forgot to attend! Elspeth Maconachie |
About Brain Games
It is well established that new skills can help build brain pathways with benefits for memory, confidence, happiness and even falls prevention. Brain Games offers a variety of entertaining and informative ways to challenge, inform and exercise your brain. Thus we might solve word, number, shape, picture or logic puzzles, take part in a quiz, brainstorm solutions to a dilemma, draw a picture or maybe even learn to juggle! We may, at times, read or view material on topics such as dementia, brain repair...etc), gender differences, optimism and pessimism, lateral thinking and creativity. Convenor and contact detailsElspeth Maconachie
0418 621 764 Meeting Times
4th Tuesday 2 to 4 pm, U3A Meeting Room 1, Fawckner Drive.
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