Keeping the Mind Sharp
The new school year is upon us! While many of us adults finished taking classes long ago, this time of year provides us with a great reminder to pause and think about how we’re taking care of our own minds.
After all, kids aren’t the only ones whose brains are still developing. Whether we’re children or adults, our brains have a fascinating ability to grow and reorganize in ways that improve our cognitive function. Even as we age, our brains can grow new cells and develop new communication pathways, a capacity the scientific community has dubbed “neuroplasticity“.
Neurological experts agree that the more of these mental pathways we build, the sharper and more resilient to age-related decline our brains will be. For a simplified look at how mental pathways grow and change, check out this video:
(If you’d like a more in-depth overview on how the brain grows, adapts and compensates for decline, take a peek at this article from The Huntington Outreach Project at Stanford).
Excitingly, there are a number of activities that we can undertake to keep our brains busy developing new neural connections. Like our bodies, our brains need activity and challenge to adapt and thrive. As the key to keeping the body strong and flexible is to incorporate varied movements, try new exercises, and consistently challenge yourself, so it goes with the mind: giving the brain novelty, variety, and challenge helps it forge the new connections it needs to adapt and stay strong as we age.
Here are some activities you can try to keep your brain young:
Learn something new – According to The Association for Psychological Science, trying novel challenges and hobbies may be the top way to help your brain form new connections. Try your hand at arts and crafts, learn a new language, learn to play an instrument, try carpentry, or take a martial arts class. If it’s new or something you haven’t done in ages, it counts!
Mental games – Word games, puzzles, math problems, strategy games, card games, and brain teasers are great “neurobic” workouts! Just remember that your brain adapts quickly, so playing a variety of games is the best way to keep it on its toes.
Mix up your routine – It sounds simple, but varying your normal routine provides the novelty your brain needs. You can stop at a new coffee shop or grocery store on your commute, or walk somewhere new on your break. Try a different workout or exercise at a different time. Rearrange your workspace or your living room. Variety is the spice of life AND the food your brain thrives on.
Try your off hand – Ever try to write, throw a ball, or brush your teeth with your off hand? It can be difficult and uncomfortable — and, as Livestrong notes, exactly the challenge your brain would use to form new pathways. Try using your non-dominant hand to perform basic activities a few times per week.
Try closing your eyes – To perform simple (and safe) tasks, that is. As Men’s Health notes, closing your eyes in the shower, or while eating, or while searching for something in your cupboard forces you to rely on senses that you normally wouldn’t use — the perfect challenge for stimulating brain activity.
Get social – As AARP points out, there are numerous studies that show a connection between staying social and warding off dementia. While scientists are still learning about exactly how social interaction protects the brain, most agree that staying connected with friends and loved ones is important to maintaining cognitive function (and happiness).
Manage Stress – Chronic stress can derail your brain’s connectivity and cell production. Be sure you’re taking steps to manage stress! (WebMD outlines the basics here.) Doing so will help preserve your health, happiness, and cognitive capacities.
Exercise – Nurturing your brain isn’t just about mental stimulation; physical activity plays a big role in brain health, as well. Harvard Health highlights several studies showing that people who perform regular aerobic exercise have more volume in the brain areas that control memory, learning, and thinking than those who don’t.
Diet – Your brain needs fuel, too, and certain foods have been shown to protect the brain from cognitive decline. Healthy fats (think avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fish), berries, coffee and tea, whole grains, and citrus fruits seem to be most frequently cited as the top foods for brain health.
While we have learned quite a bit about our brains, there’s still much to discover when it comes to the complex organ that powers our bodies and thoughts. If you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to check out some of the intriguing content that we came across in doing our research:
TED Talks: How Does My Brain Work?
INC: Do You Listen to Music While Working? Here’s What It Does to Your Brain.
Psychology Today: Squeeze a Ball with Your Left Hand to Increase Creativity
The Atlantic: The Buddhist and the Neuroscientist
