Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Blogs | Writers | Paid | My Orble | Login

Do you want to keep your brain sharp?

May 1st 2007 02:33
Keeping brain sharp
Signature Tune



Use it or lose it.

Learning and aerobics.

Even as young as 20, the brain’s processing speed is slowing down and paving the way for dementia.

Just a little repetition - it's good for reinforcement.


“The brain is like a computer, a learning machine that comes with hardware,” says Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of the division of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. “Education and cognitive stimulation upgrades the software.”

Education seems to be the most consistent protective factor against Alzheimer’s disease, he adds.

It’s only lately that studies have proven how aerobic exercise — even a brisk daily walk — impacts brain fitness by promoting the growth of new brain cells to replace the ones that die off naturally as we age.

“Through aerobics, we can actually increase brain volume in the area that we use for working memory,” says Kennedy.

HABITS FOR A FIT BRAIN

Challenge your mind. Learn a foreign language or how to knit or play a musical instrument. Do crossword or jigsaw puzzles. Read a few paragraphs upside down, shop at a new grocery store, use your non-dominant hand for tooth- or hair-brushing, do certain routine tasks with eyes closed. Read a book or article on a subject you know nothing about. Figure out how to do small fix-it jobs yourself. Keep a journal or diary.


Exercise your body. Aerobic activities boost blood flow to the brain, keeping it in peak condition.

Eat (and drink) right.

Protect your skull.

Strengthen your spirit. Maintain social ties and an active interest in the outside world. Stress-tamers like meditation, prayer and deep breathing are valuable to brain health, too.

Sources: “Gary Null’s Mind Power” (New American Library, 2005), “Saving Your Brain” by Jeff Victoroff, M.D. (Bantam, 2002), “Brain Fitness” by Robert Goldman, M.D. (Doubleday, 1999), National Institutes of Health

Both the learning and the aerobics should start in childhood. But they’re most critical for adults, because even as young as 20, the brain’s processing speed is slowing down and paving the way for dementia.


Taken from the following link - do refer to it please.

Without the author we would not have the information.
63
Vote
Add To: del.icio.us Digg Furl Spurl.net StumbleUpon Yahoo


   
subscribe to this blog 


   

   


Comments
2 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Kleonaptra

May 1st 2007 03:12
Oh, I tried to protect my skull, I really did....Helmets dont help much when they get cracked in two.
I try to work on my circulation - number one killer to my overall health but I keep getting "too busy" for my workouts. Unforgiveable sin when they make me feel so good.

Comment by katyzzz

May 1st 2007 03:41
Don't be too hard on yourself, Kleo,

You sound like you need some time management skills, bit hard with animals.

Those workouts sound fantastic, as they make you feel good.

katyzzz

Add A Comment

To create a fully formatted comment please click here.


CLICK HERE TO LOGIN | CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Name or Orble Tag
Home Page (optional)
Comments
Bold Italic Underline Strikethrough Separator Left Center Right Separator Quote Insert Link Insert Email
Notify me of replies
Your Email Address
(optional)
(required for reply notification)
Submit
More Posts
24 Posts
37 Posts
38 Posts
5439 Posts dating from November 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
0
Moderated by katyzzz
Copyright © 2012 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]