Exercise Your Brain

[phantom]

Getting in shape tops many New Year's resolution lists, but the Alliance for Aging Research is encouraging Americans to boost their brain health, too.

"There is a lot we can do to keep our brains healthy and potentially prevent or lessen the cognitive decline that often
comes with aging," Daniel Perry, executive director of the nonprofit Alliance for Aging Research, said in a prepared statement. "We are encouraging people to take steps to improve brain health as part of their overall fitness regimen for the New Year."

The Alliance for Aging Research recommends these 10 steps for improving your brain health.

Eat a Brain-Healthy Diet. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish), protein, antioxidants, fruits and vegetables and vitamin B; low in trans fats; and with an appropriate level of carbohydrates will help keep your brain healthy.

Stay Mentally Active. Activities such as learning a new skill or language, working on crossword puzzles, taking classes, and learning how to dance can help challenge and maintain your mental functioning.
Exercise Regularly. Exercising often can increase circulation, improve coordination, and help prevent conditions that increase the risk of dementia such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Stay Social. Spending time with friends, volunteering, and traveling can keep your mind active and healthy.
Get Plenty of Sleep. Not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on brain health.
Manage Stress. Participating in yoga, spending time with friends, or doing other stress-relieving activities can help preserve your ability to remember and learn.

Prevent Brain Injury. Wearing protective head gear and seat belts can help you avoid head injury, which has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Control Other Health Conditions. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet, and controlling stress can help reduce your risk of diseases that affect your brain, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and hypertension.

Avoid Unhealthy Habits. Smoking, heavy drinking and use of recreational drugs can increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
Consider Your Genes. If your family history puts you at risk for developing dementia, work with your doctor to find ways to maintain your brain health to help avoid or slow the progression of cognitive decline.

[killermctavish]

Good advice.  I read an interesting book about aging and dementia.  The study group was nuns because their lifestyle, diet, and daily routines were so consistent.  The nuns who kept most mentally active by learning languages, learning new skills, continuing to help in the community, etc. were mentally amazing into their aged years--and these nuns typically were VERY old!  The message was that continuing to challenge one's  mental skills and  to learn new skills helped to keep the brain in top shape in one's more senior years.

So, all those Sudoku puzzles that are popular now are actually anti-aging exercises!

[triggernigha]

man, this reads just like Baz Lurman's Wear Sunscreen, if you imagine the music that is

[killermctavish]

man, this reads just like Baz Lurman's Wear Sunscreen, if you imagine the music that is

lol---this topic might hold more interest for those of us who already see signs of cognitive and memory losses!!!

[p.s.]

man, this reads just like Baz Lurman's Wear Sunscreen, if you imagine the music that is

lol---this topic might hold more interest for those of us who already see signs of cognitive and memory losses!!!

I agree it's not going to hold much interest to the young'uns on the board, but take heed kids you will also grow old and this info and other such findings will be of use to you sooner than you think. Also your parents may need to review such info to avoid mental issues over the next few years.

[dancerqueen]

Over the holiday, HC and I went to my family's place where my aunt had one of those nintendo things that is suppose to exercise your brain.  Before you can do any of the exercises there is a test to see what age your brain is.  My brain was 80 and HCs was 70....ARG!

[HARDCORE]

Over the holiday, HC and I went to my family's place where my aunt had one of those nintendo things that is suppose to exercise your brain.  Before you can do any of the exercises there is a test to see what age your brain is.  My brain was 80 and HCs was 70....ARG!

That thing was a crock of shit btw!

[BEEF]

I had a go on one of the brain testers on the PSP, I nailed it and found it relatively easy. Although I'm still a youngster I find myself having to read things over and over again to hit them into my memory, whereas 3 years ago this really wouldn't have been a problem. I also forget things I wouldn't normally and sometimes get odd things where, well for example, I will be driving from my home to a mates and I know exactly where I'm going and I will never take a wrong turn, I can't for the life of me envision the road up ahead, even though I have driven it thousands of times.

I would be VERY interested to see if these brain doctor programs make a difference. I have heard nothing but good words about the Nintendo DS memory improvement program (Can't think of the name? lol typical).

EDIT: Just missed your post HARDCORE, really that bad eh? Or just the age test.