January 2012
After reading all of the news in the paper, one should consider pouring another cup of coffee and turning to the crossword puzzle. Following that, one might test their wits with some math wizardry in Sudoku. These kinds of brain teasers are a simple, leisure activity, but when practiced as part of a routine, the novelty of thinking creatively and logically can spur your brain to engage quicker.
So said Dr. Heather Boyle, who specializes in psychiatry and works in the Behavioral Health Unit at Flagstaff Medical Center. She stressed that the body of science is still out testing for hard evidence, but small studies have shown cognitive exercises preserve mental acuity. “The brain does grow and continue to learn very late into life, so continue using and growing your brain.”
According to the National Institute of Health, cognitive wellbeing and performance remain stable over a lifetime, with only a gradual decline in short-term memory and processing. Still, it seems to catch up to us in a hurry. We might wonder how can we remember the inane words to an old song, yet we can’t recall whether we paid this month’s electric bill?
Boyle explained, “People have a lot of balls in the air, and mistakenly think they can multi-task, but the brain doesn’t multi-task. People also are often sleep-deprived.” And as a result, function is impaired.
It is easy to blame our brain failures on age as well. There are 78 million Baby Boomers that are older than 60. As this largest generation of souls retires, science is following them into their Golden Years. Disease and dementia, longevity and quality of life demand attention, and the larger population benefits from clinical trials and discoveries. Brain health is vital as Alzheimer disease has become one of the most common debilitating disorders in older adults.
So, can we pump up the brain power for mental agility the way we pump iron to stay strong? Brain is not muscle, so it’s not a matter of “use it or lose it.” There is no definitive proof yet that mental exercises can reverse the effects of dementia, but Boyle said, “What is good for the heart is good for the brain—exercise, join social activities, practice religious affiliations, be mindful, and stay involved in your community.” These valid and valuable ways to feed the brain also feed emotional needs to create more fulfilling experiences.
On some days though, it can feel like our head is filled up, like there is no room for new facts. Will playing a brain game help infuse information or will it just bounce off our cranium? “People often compare brains with computers, and it works to a point—you can fill a hard-drive, but brains do not fill up,” Boyle said. That’s good news. When we practice a more balanced lifestyle, Bole said that “we can appear to regain mental sharpness, but take control and live healthy, because disease leads to loss.”
Brains can execute new information or apply old data in fresh ways, no matter our age. Stimulating lives boost our brain power. Learn a language or an instrument, or broaden your knowledge on an existing topic. New is new, and new is good.
Engaging in novel activity builds neural pathways to stay sharp. The type of learning is not as important as the role of learning. Like finding the hidden object in a picture, simple, daily jobs can challenge us to stay focused. Memorize a short grocery list, and then, try to put everything in the shopping cart before referring back to it. Add figures up the old-fashioned way—with a pencil and by carrying the 10—and then, double-check your sum with a calculator. Racking your brain regularly is like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. A quick, brainy workout is as vital as time on the treadmill.
Scientists know that the brain is dynamic. It continues to change and grow according to the needs and demands put on it. So, demand a little more from your grey matter. Work your way through a book of crosswords, solve a math mind bender, or unscramble letters to discover an answer. Coupled with a healthy lifestyle that includes nutrition plus adequate sleep and exercise, games, puzzles and brain teasers can keep our minds nimble.
Our hearts and head work as a two-way street. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities throughout our lives can keep our minds sharp. And leisure activities that stimulate our brain can help us live a longer, happier life. NAMLM Gail G. Collins