Improving Brain Health

As we get in our later years, we start worrying about our brain health quite often. For our physical health we try to eat better, minimize the use of salt and sugar, exercise more and of course, get regular heart check-ups. .

It takes a while though, for us to realize we also need to "maintain the brain!" Those same things will improve our brain health, too

When you start forgetting what you meant to do as you crossed the room...(even if you can remember 25 years ago..), then you need to start thinking about ways to improve your "working" memory. But brain fitness covers a lot more than just memory. Our information processing changes, too.

I'm going to interrupt myself here: I write about all this.. In my mind, I accept this is true.. but like a lot of others, I'm still a couch potato. I really haven't cared about my body.. but my brain is important to me.
Now from another source: Brain Rules, a new book, it's repeated. We've got to get out and move our whole bodies, anyway we can to keep the brain functioning. Time to get on the treadmill, or OUT THE DOOR!

Quoting from the Alzheimer's Association: "the health of your brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do: thinking, feeling, remembering, working, and playing - even sleeping...

• Mentally stimulating activities strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, and may even create new nerve cells.

• Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain as well as to encourage new brain cells. It also can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and thereby protect against those risk factors for Alzheimer's and other dementias.


             


• Social activity not only makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce stress levels, which helps maintain healthy connections among brain cells.



• Research suggests that high cholesterol contributes to stroke and brain cell damage. A low fat, low cholesterol diet is advisable. And there is growing evidence that a diet rich in dark vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain cells."
  Have you heard about "green smoothies"?? Search it!

There's GREAT NEWS! Our brains do not have to get worse over the years.. We actually can do a lot that will IMPROVE our brains every day.. not just to maintain but to build new brain cells. As we age, our emotional understanding and our thinking processes can improve, if we stimulate them every day.

One of the best uses for your computer is to find out this important information through your Internet. Watch this video "Boost Your Brain" on the website called YouTube.com (Lots of crazy stuff, but a lot of real information there as well.)
Dr Roy Sugarman clearly tells about some of the research within the last 20 years. There are other interesting videos there, too, on brain health.
Complete information on 10 steps for brain health can be found at: www.agingresearch.org

So there are more reasons to "eat your veggies", oatmeal and go for a brisk walk! What's just as important is to do the crosswords, learn something NEW, and join a group to DO something! Being alone a lot is NOT a good thing.

My memory is not great.. but I CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I think that's wonderful!

I just finished a good book about our memory, called CARVED IN SAND by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin. Go to Amazon.com, then type the title in the Search box. You'll find my book review at the bottom of the page. (Another great use for your computer.) Explore this site. It's extremely useful.

I'd like to refer you to another interesting website, called www.Luminosity.com. They have a daily mental training program that's quick and fun to do, with a free trial.. and a reasonable monthly membership.

On Public television, there is occasionally a program called The Brain Fitness Program. They explain about the "plasticity" of our brains...you can get the DVD of the TV show and many other books about it at "Brain fitness Program" at Amazon.com.

After all, there is NOTHING more important than your BRAIN!