Brain Training: the benefits of challenging our brains as we age
Have you heard of Brain Training?
It might make you picture a brain on a lead, being taught to sit, stay and heel. Fortunately, it is very different from training a new puppy! And you don’t need expert help to do it.
Our brains are elastic. Well, not exactly elastic, but they function with neuroplasticity. This means they can stretch and adapt to take on new information, but they can also shrink when we are not using them to their full potential.
The ‘we only use 10% of our brain capacity’ saying is actually a myth. However, there are definitely lazy days on the couch when I’m sure we only use a small amount of our brain capacity by choice!
Let’s have a look at ways to support these amazing brains of ours.
Firstly: exercise, quality sleep and a healthy diet have a positive effect on brain function – we need to give our brains the right fuel. Dr Sabina Brennan (author of 100 Days to a Younger Brain) has supplied some great insight into the importance of a healthy body to feed a healthy mind. Did you know that one in three people do not get enough sleep each night?
It is essential to sleep so that our body has a chance to clean toxins out of our central nervous system and allow our brains to function effectively. And did you know that the brain uses 20-25% of our body’s energy every day just to keep it working? Our diet needs to have sufficient nutrients and calories to provide this energy, and our physical activity helps to circulate the oxygen successfully to the brain.
Secondly: Processing speed, memory and decision-making abilities have the potential to decline as we age. According to Dr Ginni Mansberg (author of Save Your Brain), almost half of the cases of dementia and cognitive decline are preventable. It is important that we continually challenge ourselves with learning new skills: this is brain training.
Learning a musical instrument, taking an art class, learning a new language and playing memory games are just a small number of skills that can help maintain our brain function. Even video games have been proven to help with reaction times, memory and attention in older adults. It is also important to continue to use skills we have already learned.
If we don’t use it, we lose it!
Thirdly: Social connection is also important for a healthy brain. It is essential in early brain development, and it continues to be important throughout the lifespan. Social isolation has been linked with dementia and accelerated cognitive decline. According to research, older adults who have more social interaction have higher levels of cognitive function in comparison to those who are not as social.
So I encourage you to organise a catch up with friends or join a social group in the community – you won’t regret it!
The above information has been collected from some of these great reads below about keeping your brain active as you age – click on the links below to reserve a copy!
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Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta
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How to Keep your Brain Young by Kerryn Phelps
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Save Your Brain by Ginni Mansberg (Also available as an Audiobook, and in Large Print).
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100 Days to a Younger Brain by Sabina Brennan
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Brain Power by Catherine De Lange
Join YPRL to celebrate Senior’s Month in October and keep yourself feeling young, seeing as you are only as old as you feel!
We will be holding some fantastic events for seniors throughout the month of October, including sing-alongs, recipe sharing, wills information sessions, hearing checks, cyber security and plenty more! Click here to view the events across our branches and to book your place today! Also, pop into your local branch to see what activities they have on offer to help keep your brain young.
And remember:
“Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional”
- Anonymous