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Leisure:
A Sudoku a day exercises the brain
Negative issues are usually associated with addiction. Drug abuse,
excessive drinking, and even too much gambling are all negative
activities that are highly addictive. But if there is one kind of
addiction that is actually beneficial for adults and kids alike, it
would be an addiction to sudoku puzzles.
Researchers rank solving sudoku puzzles daily among the top ten
non-traditional and alternative ways to boosts brain power. Other brain
boosting moves include high-protein diets, listening to classical music,
and lots of rest.
These are simple but are rather difficult to follow because of budget
limitations, personal preferences, and lifestyle. This is the advantage
sudoku games holds over other brain boosters.
They are accessible from newspapers, books, and even the Internet.
They are also workable between breaks or at any spare time. So every
time someone chastises you for doing sudoku again, kindly explain and
hope that they pick up the habit too.
Though sudoku puzzles are not mathematical problems, solving the
puzzles requires the most basic tool of mathematics and science: logic.
Since the puzzles entail the use of logic, common sense, and
concentration, the brain is put out of the stupor of doing routine,
mundane tasks.
In other words, your brain actually gets a break and a good work-out.
Studies reveal that the more the brain uses its skills, the better it
works. Brains that get more exercise are determined to be more active,
and its cells are healthier.
Researchers even associate sudoku brain exercises to physical
exercise. They stress that just as physical exercise keeps muscle loss
at bay, sudoku exercise keeps brain cells from dying and also encourages
better brain function.
Education is important, but studies actually show that students who
do mental workouts like sudoku have higher IQs than students who do not.
This only shows that doses of sudoku are more than just ways to pass
time. They actually help in improving your ability to comprehend more
complex ideas.
Ian Robertson, a neuroscientist, facilitated a research among the
elderly with the premise that decreased mental ability is not inevitable
with the right stimulation. The research included two groups of elderly
people: the first group solved sudoku puzzles as part of their routine,
while the second did not.
After some time, their IQ levels were tested and compared to their
test results before the experiment. The sudoku-solving group was found
to have increased their mental abilities by a significant percentage
while the other group showed no change.
Dr. Robertson cited a similar research wherein 3,000 people, aged
65-94, were found to have increased their mental capabilities and age by
as much as 14 years, just by ten sessions of brain boosting exercise
like sudoku.
Other experts agree with these findings, saying that solving
challenging mind games like sudoku puzzles inhibit or prevent the
development of Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. Health trends also
show that adults with demanding, and intellectually challenging jobs
benefit from better mental function when they age. Sudoku functions just
like these jobs because it requires brain exertions.
As it is, experts advise adults to encourage children to solve
puzzles like sudoku to start mental improvement earlier in life. Sudoku
exercises are actually adopted by some schools to stimulate thinking and
foster better academic performance of their students. So instead of
letting kids watch TV, or read comics, hand them sudoku puzzles.
Then, both you and your kids can defend your love of sudoku to those
poor souls who do not understand the beauty, joy, and benefits of
solving it.
Source: EzineArticles.com
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