11/24/2015

Challenge your mind and body to hone their thinking skills

Challenge your mind and body to hone their thinking skillsChallenge your mind and body to hone their thinking skills - My friend Betty is one of the most impressive elders that I met him. At 88, her voice is strong and his heart is young, and it seems to have so much energy and enthusiasm as he did in 1982 when I met her. It exercises, friends, gardens, to pay their own bills, follow the news, and is constantly reading and ask questions. How do you stay so strong? "I guess I'm just a curious person, boy," he laughs.

But living there how Betty - always learn new things, and keep busy with friends and favorite activities - is exactly what experts say can help keep our skills sharp thinking. "Cognitive and social commitment demonstrated a protective effect against cognitive decline, while the loss, depression and social isolation of hearing is associated with cognitive impairment," says Dr. Kathryn Papp, a neuropsychologist and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.


How it works?

Dr. Papp said he does not know the exact reasons for the mental and social engagement, protecting our thinking abilities, but we have some ideas. "Until the 1990s, we thought that people are born with however many brain cells die with now know that new cell growth. - A process called neurogenesis - occurs throughout life, even in Does old age, "says.

It turns out that the human brain has great potential for something called neuroplasticity, or in other words, being very malleable. It seems to challenge our brain - for example, by learning a new skill - leading to real changes in the adult brain. "You can create new connections between brain cells by altering the balance of neurotransmitters available and change how to make connections," says Dr. Papp.


Being socially engaged can help repel social isolation and depression, both of which have been linked to decreased cognitive functioning in the future. Having good social support also reduces stress, another thing that we know that this has a negative impact on thinking skills.


Other factors 
A healthy lifestyle is also associated with neurogenesis, including getting enough sleep, avoid overeating, and the big boss of all: exercise. "The researchers found that physical exercise leads to the release of cellular growth factors that are important to neurogenesis," says Dr. Papp.And this combination of growth and new brain cells factors that come from a healthy, stimulating the brain, and stay connected socially in a meaningful way can actually help protect the brain and keep it more resistant to changes that cause dementia.

Start your engine 

What is the best way to speed up your thinking skills? Start with mini-challenges for the brain:

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Brush your teeth with the hand not commonly used.
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Take a different route or shop work.
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Eat a piece or two dinner with eyes closed.
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Listen to a new type of music.
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Do jumps 60 seconds (or any physical activity).
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Sit in a different place in your home or at a favorite restaurant."This requires the brain to do a job because it clashes with something you have not experienced before," says Dr. Papp.


You can also search for activities that integrate brain stimulation, physical activity, and social commitment, such as:


*   learn to play a sport or game (tennis, table tennis, golf)
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learn to dance (try the cha-cha, rumba and merengue)
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take a class by planting flowers or vegetables
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learning tai chi, which has been shown to increase thinking skills.


If physical activity is not possible, consider taking a class in

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painting (watercolors start, then switch to oils)
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piano, flute, guitar or
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write stories (or memories)
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Computers

*   flower arrangement
*   hosiery (useful for Christmas presents!)
*  
a new language.

Or you can participate in any new activities that you find interesting, such as:

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Volunteer at a local charity
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explore a new city
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join a book club
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try a new restaurant or new types of foods
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become a museum of education
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helping at a local school or daycare
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join a club collector (Dolls, stamps, souvenirs).
 


"The best activities are those that are nice," says Dr. Papp. And just as it is important to stick to a diet medications or exercise, should take a model to always learn, as my friend Betty, to reap the benefits. "I like to ask questions and hear the stories of people," he said. "I never want to stop learning."

She would have made a great reporter, that one. But I'm glad I can be the one to share the news flash here, which is that staying mentally sharp decline in the use of your brain and your body, whatever your age.

By: Heidi Godman

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