In Spain, the concept of neurofitness—a system of training for maintaining cognitive health—is gaining popularity. Leading specialist in this field, Catalina Hoffmann, shares new techniques every week and encourages reflection on the less obvious aspects of how our brain works. This time, the expert has addressed a topic many consider superficial: the ability to experience pleasure.
According to Hoffmann, the ability to truly enjoy the moment directly affects memory, emotional regulation, and social connections. This is not a frivolous pursuit, but an important part of personal development and a key to brain health. The specialist suggests everyone ask themselves a simple yet profound question: “When was the last time you truly experienced pleasure?” It’s not about the number of trips or meetings with friends, but about that very moment when you felt genuine delight—perhaps even when alone.
The goal of this exercise is to realize what exactly brings joy to a particular person. There is no universal recipe: for one, it may be reading a book in silence; for another, a walk on the beach, listening to music, or a leisurely dinner. This personalization, as the expert emphasizes, is the foundation of neurocognitive training. It helps create internal guides that strengthen the connection between the brain and emotional state.
Hoffmann calls exhausting vacations one of the common mistakes people make today. Often, we return from a holiday more tired than before we left. The reason lies in an oversaturated schedule: numerous activities, obligations, and constant movement leave no time to pause and listen to ourselves. As a result, the brain doesn’t get the restorative reset it needs. This directly aligns with one of the key principles of neurofitness: what matters is not the quantity of actions, but their quality and the ability to live in the present moment.
As a practical task for this week, the expert suggested an exercise to train spatial memory. This cognitive function is essential in everyday life: it helps us navigate a city, remember where we’ve left our keys, or mentally map out a route. The exercise has several levels of difficulty, allowing it to be adapted for people with different skill levels. According to Hoffmann, such regular training helps keep the brain in good shape, and it should be done with a smile.
