Dr. John Ratey authored "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Education and the Brain." Dr. Ratey reports that exercise and physical activity prepare the brain to learn and increase problem-solving strategies. He explains that exercise wakes up the brain, encourages individuals to try new things, reduces stress and anxiety, encodes new learning, feeds the brain for optimum functioning and grows new brain cells.
Dr. Ratey's research demonstrates that exercise before learning increases the brain's receptivity to new learning. This has practical application in the classroom and in the workplace. Individuals can take a five- to ten-minute break to engage in stimulating physical activity before tackling new learning. This process, called Action-Based Learning (ABL), increases the blood flow to the brain.
Students who engaged in walking for 20 minutes prior to taking a test scored better then they did when they took a similar test with no exercise. Students also scored higher on problem-solving activities after a period of 15 to 20 minutes of physical activity. Students and (adult workers) can benefit cognitively and creatively by engaging in physical activity prior to learning or taking part in creative strategizing.
According to Funderstanding.com, humor and laughter can create great problem solvers. Activities like games and injecting humor into lessons increases the ability to encode and recall new information. Learners can engage in learning games appropriate to the required learning. For instance, tossing a beanbag to a student who must answer a math problem before he tosses the beanbag to the next student brings an element of play to the lesson.
Priscilla L. Vail, author of "The Role of Emotions in Learning," reports that positive emotions help open the door to learning and processing while negative emotions shut the brain down. Creating a pleasant and enjoyable work or learning environment promotes cognitive stimulation and creative problem solving.
SuperBrain Yoga utilizes cross-lateralization, acupressure, focused breathing and movement to stimulate the brain and improve its function. Individuals cross the left arm over the chest and grab the right ear lobe between the thumb and forefinger. The right arm crosses over the left arm and the thumb and forefinger grab the left ear lobe. Slow, focused breathing reduces stress as the individual breathes into a squat for five counts, holds it for five counts and breathes out as he rises to an erect stance for five counts. This activity is repeated for three minutes.
Studies on the practice indicate it improves connections between the brain hemispheres, stimulates chemicals that make the brain more alert and clear thinking. Students who use the practice find they are more focused and score better on tests. Alzheimer's disease patients and senior citizens also find the practice helpful for improving cognitive function and creative-thinking skills.