Our brain is like any other part of our body. If we don't exercise it, it gets lazy and doesn't work as well as it used to. So how can you go about stimulating your memories and maximizing your brain power?

1. Eat well

The phrase "you are what you eat" applies to your brain as much as anything else. Whilst you can probably get away with eating junk food every now and then, making it part of your everyday diet isn't good news. So make sure that you eat healthily as often as possible. And if you're not sure, pop a vitamin pill as well to keep your nutrition balance up.

2. Be puzzled

Regularly doing puzzles such as brain teasers (they're not called that for nothing), crosswords, Sudoku and the like will help to stimulate your brain.

3. Play memory games with yourself or others

See how much you can recall about something. It can be a show you've just watched on television (which is ideal for checking your "score" later) or it could be an event. Start with recent events or shows and work your way further back in time. The more you do this and the further back you go, the more your longer term memory will start to improve.

4. Play video games

Whilst a lot of video games are more about quickening your reflexes - which actually isn't a bad way of training your brain - some are specifically designed to tax your mind. The obvious games that have memory or brain in their title aren't the only option. Old fashioned adventure games usually involve solving puzzles along the way - if you can find some of the earlier games that didn't rely on whizzy graphics, so much the better.

5. Take part in quizzes

These could be online or they might be organized by your local club. Either way, they'll ask questions that you have to reach back in your mind to find the answer. Taking part in a quiz - or playing a quiz machine - on a regular basis will help stimulate your memory.

6. Play beat the game show contestants

OK, a lot of game show contestants seem to have been carefully picked to be as dumb as possible. But some games shows are quite challenging end will help to exercise your brain cells. Whether it's shows like "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" where you're given the right answer or fast answer shows doesn't really matter. The "game" is to score higher than the contestants on screen. You've got the edge that there isn't a camera crew and live audience staring at you. But see how you get on and how you improve over time.

7. Scan through old photos

These are truly a trip down memory lane. But where were they taken and who else is in the photos? Chances are that your brain will start to ache as you strive to stimulate it enough to remember what was happening when the shots were taken. Then you'll know you've started to maximize your brain power.