You can control brain health health By Stacey Soeldner As we get older staying sharp and agile are important. What if I told you that you can continue this long into mature adulthood? The brain is a fascinating instrument and we have more control over making it healthy than we think. Molecular biologist John Medina, author of “Brain Rules,” has researched how the brain works and has some great rules to live by. Following these will help you remain sharp for years to come. We know that exercise is important for flexibility and has many health benefits, but can it help your brain? The decrease in our physical activity from modern technology has not only affected our waistlines, but has stalled our brains. From a tender age, play and movement have been essential to our developing brain and it still is. As adults we still need to have “recess.” Now that may come in the form of a treadmill and not softball, but nevertheless if you are going to be at the top of your cognitive game it needs to happen. According to Medina (2008), “Aerobic exercise just twice a week halves your risk of general dementia. It cuts your risk of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent.” So what are you waiting for? Start moving. Does the fact that a couple struggles in their marriage or you have a conflict in your family affect your brain? The answer is yes. Our relationships and our emotional environment affect our growth. Imagine trying to learn from someone who doesn’t like you or work on a team that is not cohesive. Our learning and attention are strongly affected by stress. People regularly go to the doctor for a physical, but shy away from seeing a psychologist yearly to see how mentally fit they are. Stress often comes from a lack of control in our life. Isn’t it time that you got your life under
control so your brain could function optimally? What are you attending to in your life? Are you focused on your phone ringing or the next family gathering? We believe we are great multi-taskers. My belief is that I can eat my breakfast, text; put my lipstick on, all while driving my car. Before you cringe, let me tell you that none of us can multi-task even if we think we can. If you want to improve your attention and be more on the ball, start working on mindfulness. Do one thing in the moment. Also allow yourself some time to be uninterrupted. You won’t believe what you can accomplish when you are using your full attention. One of the most disheartening parts of getting older is losing our memory. I am not that old and I already notice deficits. Memory has many parts and is complex so I won’t bore you with the details. The important thing to remember is that when you want to learn something, make the first few seconds elaborate. For example, if you are learning computers for the first time, take time to understand the meaning, not just the content. If you learn computers, what will you be able to do? Maybe you can make an art project for your grandkids or share pictures on Facebook. Stopping to find meaning in what you are learning is the ticket to better memory.
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Taking care of our brain is just as important as taking care of the rest of our body. Now is the time to start thinking about the things you can do to increase your brain power. Want more ideas on how to feed your brain, look for my upcoming article in the fall for more “Brain Rules.” Can’t wait? Get John Medina’s book, “Brain Rules.” Stacey E. Soeldner is a Clinical Psychologist and Life Coach with Riverhill Psychological Associates, S.C., Manitowoc.
Open floor plans Individually controlled heat & air conditioning Full size stove & refrigerator Microwave & garbage disposal Washer & dryer in apartment Woodworking shop Daily activities Fitness room 3 restaurants included Underground parking Lawn maintenance
Call Roselle Holschbach at (920) 684-7171, ext 409, for a tour of our senior living garden homes and apartments 1700 S. 18th Street, Manitowoc y www.felicianvillage.org
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