Massachusetts General Hospital is in the forefront of research in Mental Fitness. In their latest newsletter: Mind, Mood and Memory they discuss ways to keep your mind sharp as you grow older.
Until recently, scientists thought that the adult mind was unchangeable... now, it is known that the brain can make new cells through a process called neurogenesis.. growing additional branches and connections.. in a process called synaptic placisticity. It's those darned synapses again! The more synapses you grow, the more your brain stays young.
In addition:
Aerobic exercise can reverse symptoms of age-related brain decline. (Get off your dead butt and start moving!)
Regular intellectual stimulation may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
(I would strongly recommend cryptic crossword puzzles.)
Social activity promotes the formation and survival of brain cells. (Make some new friends!)
Constant stress can cause atrophy of brain connections.. so, reducing stress is very important.
(Meditation might be one way.. omm ni paa ti suuum.) (Massage is also good.)
Diet is important. Excessive caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. (How much is too much? How much is too little? What about chocolate?)
Folic acid is an important supplement. (Take a trip to a health food store and look around. Lots of good stuff there.)
Sleep is important... They suggest 6 to 8 hours a night. This gives time for your "sleepy-time" brain to sort and categorize what you have experienced during the day and get ready for tomorrow.
(Ben Franklin may have said: 6 hours of sleep a night for a man; 7 hours of sleep a night for a woman; 8 hours of sleep a night for an idiot.)
He also said: Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
He also said: The early bird catches the worm.... but look what happened to the worm when it got up so early!
Watch out for the effects of diabetes. And smoking. And excessive drinking. (You know what you are supposed to do and not do.. and shame on you for being bad.)
Speaking of brains, I received a weird brain honor last week... I received a certificate honoring me for being a member of Mensa for 40 years!.. This required little effort on my part.. just opening the yearly membership letter, writing a check, sealing the envelope and mailing it off so that I could be a member for yet another year.
I must admit that my Mensa membership has opened lots of intellectual vistas for me. I hope that I can make it to 50 years and another certificate.
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2 comments:
You've been smart a lot longer than you've been recognized for it, Pop.
That's why I like you so much, son. You tell the truth.
But.. I know that you and the girls are a lot smarter than I am. And besides, you have your mother's wisdom and good sense.
Glad you will be back at SSA.. they need to always have a Vaughan there to keep them honest like you, me and your mother tried to do.
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