By now, we all recognize the importance of exercise and physical activity. In addition to traditional forms such as walking, using a treadmill, or swimming, technology has provided us with computer-generated games such as Wii to keep us active.  Wii Fit classes are some of the most popular offered at retirement and community centers.  You may also have tried some online exercise courses or popped an exercise DVD into your computer.

But did you know that technology, through your computer, can provide you with a dexterity and mental work-out?  By selecting a variety of online challenges, you can increase your reaction time, your ability to think quickly and keep your mind active.  Start out playing a simple game of checkers with someone on the internet. 

On any PC with MS-Windows, you can do this by clicking on the Start button, then All Programs, then Games.  You will see a list of available games; choose Internet Checkers.  As you move your pieces and jump your opponent’s pieces, you will become more familiar with using the mouse and your hand-eye coordination will improve. It's fun and keeps your mind sharp at the same time.

If you are a Hearts champion, try Internet Hearts.  Prefer jigsaw puzzles?   A great website is www.crazy4jigsaws.com.  When you have finished the puzzle yourself, send it to a friend! 

A recent UCLA study showed that older Web surfers (55+) who performed simple searches on the internet stimulated areas of the brain responsible for language, memory, visual ability and comprehension.  Clicking through online sites goes even a step further, triggering parts of the brain that handle decision-making and complex reasoning as well.  And the more you do, the greater the benefit:  experienced Web surfers had twice as much brain activity as novices.

So where to start?  For specific searches, use www.Google.com and type in the key words related to your search.  If you want to stay up-to-date on news, navigate to www.newslink.net to read local papers, as well as national ones like the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Also, check out www.nytimes.com to get the latest news from the New York Times.

One of the best online resources for general knowledge is www.wikipedia.org.  There you will find definitions, articles, pictures and sounds.  Within the content of this online encyclopedia, you can probably find the answer to almost any question you have, along with viewing some amazing pictures.  And don’t miss National Geographic’s wonderful website at www.nationalgeographic.com.

You may already be familiar with YouTube, the premiere site to watch and upload videos. But did you also know there are great demonstration videos.  Go to www.youtube.com to learn how to do your newest hobby, such as pruning a bonsai tree or flower arranging.  And lastly, surf over to www.about.com, which will offer you guidance on just about anything (except, perhaps, how to add more hours to your day!).

It’s never too late to start working out.  There is a whole world waiting for you in your computer---and it’s actually good for you!

Beth White is the owner of Access•Ability (www.myaccess-ability.com), which offers computer training for retirement communities, small businesses and non-profits.  Courses cover a variety of topics in small group settings or one-on-one instruction.