This 10-second test shows how well your brain sends signals to your body

Deep breathing helps increase supply of oxygen to brain (Picture Credit: Canva)

Keeping our brain health in check as we age is essential. With time, cognitive decline is natural and can affect our concentration, speed, and memory. To check how well our brain is sending signals to the body, Dr Manan Arora suggested trying a simple 10-second test.

Quick brain check

“Try this quick brain check with me. Open and close your fingers as fast as you can. Do it for 10 seconds. Use both hands.” He showed the same using his thumb and index finger. “Now look for this: Does your hand slow down? Are the movements shaky or uneven? Is one hand clearly worse than others.”

He explained that our finger speed shows how well the brain is sending signals to our body. “When the brain is tired or underactive, the movement becomes slow or clumsy. This can happen when you’re experiencing brain fog, low focus, or early nerve issues. If one hand is always slower, it could mean your brain may be working less efficiently on that side,” he said.

How to improve?

For the brain to remain sharp and attentive, simple consistent habits make a huge difference. Making the right lifestyle choices plays an important role and improves our mental health. Dr Vora suggested the following ways to help the brain function at its optimum.

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Light exercises:

Try light exercises to keep your body active and moving. They increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which nourishes brain cells.

Balance drills:

They can help improve stability, strength, coordination and brain-body communication.

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Eye movements and focusing exercises:

These can help keep those neural pathways sharp. They strengthen eye muscle coordination, enhance cognitive activity, and reduce stress.

Deep breathing techniques:

Breathwork is always helpful as it calms your mind and reduces stress, allowing better focus.

In the end, Dr Vora said, “Always remember, this is just for educational purposes, and not a

diagnosis. Taking care of your brain health is just as important as taking care of your body!”

Also read: Sleeping for less than 6 hours every night? Doctors have a warning that you must not ignore

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.