Ways to Stimulate Your Intellect

Stimulate Your Intellect

Ongoing research in the field of brain health continues to suggest that mentally stimulating activities may help reduce the risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In the past it was believed that we lost brain cells with age and could not regenerate them. New research suggests the opposite. We now know that our brains possess what is known as neuro-plasticity-in other words the ability to grow and expand- throughout life. Our brains can generate new brain cells and form new connections between existing cells in the presence of novel and challenging mental activity.

The popular “use it or lose it” theory that applies to our muscles, it turns out, applies to our brains as well. Keeping your mind active is the key. Though research is ongoing- it does not appear that your brain is very finicky about what type of activity you engage in, as long at it is sufficiently complex and has a new learning component to it. So we suggest that you find areas that are of interest to you and pursue them. Following are some suggested tracks to take in your brain challenge approach.

Music

As we are learning through this year’s Celebrations theme, Music of Our Lives, music can have many beneficial health effects. But did you know that listening to music may make your mind sharper? Some research would suggest that it might. In their book, Models of Brain Function (1989), Gordon and Shaw reported that the brain is stimulated while mentally rehearsing music.

In addition to listening to music, learning about things related to music can enhance your “mental workout”. Areas of learning might include:

• History of various genres of music
  
• How to read music
  
• How to play a musical instrument
  
• Appreciation of a new type of music
  
• Learning to use new technology related to music-like mp3 players
  
• Attending a concert by your grandchildren’s favorite artist

Hobbies

Developing a new hobby will stimulate your mind in various ways. First it will require the learning of new information which can help with the formation of new brain cells. Second, it will most likely require some form of physical dexterity with the hands, thereby causing the brain to form new connections related to that activity. Third, if you learn the hobby in a group setting, it may lead to new social connections-which have been shown to contribute to good health. Lastly, some hobbies can be used to contribute to the well being of others leading to a new sense of purpose. Listed below are some suggested hobbies to try:

• Knitting
  
• Stamp or coin collecting
  
• Ceramics
  
• Gardening
  
• Model railroads
  
• Woodworking
  
• Crafts
  
• Genealogy
  
• Computer use
  
• Theatre
  
• Painting
  
• Scrap booking
  
• Needlepoint
  
• Drawing
  
• Comic books
  
• Bird watching
  
• Aquariums

For a more extensive list and ways to get started go to www.about.com/hobbies

Life long learning

Oliver Wendell Holmes said that “a man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions”. When Holmes wrote that he did not have any idea of the magnitude of its truth. We have known for some time that those with higher levels of education have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The reasons for this are not fully understood but, at least in part, may be related to building a “protective reserve” through the formation of new connections in the brain. The lesson here is that ongoing learning is a key component to a brain protective strategy.

Life long learning opportunities include taking college level courses, reading about new areas of interest, staying current politically and technologically and nurturing curiosity about the world around us. Stay open to the ideas and thoughts of others and try taking a different point of view in a discussion-just for the sake of learning and growing. Join or start a book club!

Brain Training and mentally stimulating activities

There is barely a day that goes by where we don’t see a story in the media about the concept of brain fitness. Computer programs, books and games abound. These activities can be fun and help your brain to form new connections. There is not really evidence that supports one activity over another-it just needs to challenge your mind in a new way.

In other words, if you have done crossword puzzles all your life, you should continue them, but you may also want to try some new puzzles or games to work on a different area of the brain. Do things that fit your personality as well. If you enjoy being with people, join a card group or other group focused on brain activities, if you tend to be an introvert, you may want to pursue more solitary brain activity. Finding brain challenging material is as easy as “Google” or your local book store.

Physical Activity

Since your brain is part of your body, it is not surprising to learn that physical activity benefits both. However, what you may not know is that one study found that the single most beneficial activity for reducing Alzheimer’s risk is ballroom dancing. This makes sense because ballroom dancing does require some brain activity to remember the steps and also has the social engagement component.

While we don’t have research to support it, logic would suggest that other types of dance or physical activity that requires new learning may have an added benefit. Whatever activity you choose, do it consistently and for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week in order to get the benefits.

As is the case with most health concerns, brain health requires a holistic approach-including nutrition, good prevention and screening measures and management of chronic conditions. We will address these in future issues of the Optimum Life Education Series. If you have concerns about your memory or other mental functions, talk with your health care provider.