How to be a Brainiac – Part One
Posted on February 13, 2012
“Of all the things I’ve lost in life, I miss my mind the most.”
Ever heard that saying before? Mark Twain said it. It’s funny but stop and think about it. A fit body – we know how to do that, right? There are plenty of diet and exercise regimens we can follow. What about a fit “spirit?” Well, we can read self-help books, talk to a friend, see a therapist, go to church or meditate. But, what do we know about keeping our brains healthy? You know – that big lump of grey and white matter up in your skull. What do you do for it?
Believe it or not, there’s quite a bit you can do! And this week, I’m going to give you 5 unique pointers – one each day.
For today I’d like to talk to you about…um…I can’t remember….OH, right, your memory!
Did you know that how you live your life on a daily basis makes a difference in how well your memory ability is maintained? A MacArthur Foundation study of mental functioning as we age, found that those who maintained their mental abilities kept their minds active through such stimulating activities as reading books, doing crossword puzzles, using a computer, and going to lectures or concerts. It’s worth noting that the group better at maintaining mental abilities was less likely to spend time in the passive mode of watching television.
Likewise the physical activities of those who maintain high functioning brains include walking a mile or going up and down stairs. The important thing seems to be doing these activities daily, not sporadically.
Guess what else? They also had a positive attitude about life (Sugar and I have talked to you about that before: here and here) – feeling that you have an impact on your world and how you live – is important! The study says that people who know how to adapt to life’s challenges, rather than becoming overwhelmed by stressful situations and those who don’t let themselves become overly dependent on others are more likely to maintain a strong memory.
So, go to a concert, take a walk, make your own dinner and laugh – all in the name of a good memory!