Challenge your brain to keep it working well
Most of us grew up in a society that expected elderly people to develop dementia at some point, and took for granted that the brain lost its function as we added on the years. However, the world of neuroscience is now discovering that this was completely mistaken, and that our brains are capable of functioning well throughout our entire lives, if we do our part. That old idea of thinking of our brains as ‘machines that are wearing out’ was a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“Use it or lose it” is an old adage that applies to the entire physical body, but also to the brain. You must keep mentally active or your brain will indeed atrophy. Scientists say that one of the best ways to challenge the brain is to try to learn a new language; whether you manage to do so or not is not as important as the ongoing attempt to do so. The concentration expected is very stimulating, as is the social context of learning with others, and trying out your new language skills with other people. Social isolation is detrimental to the human brain, as it needs to be socially anchored and interactive to be functioning at its best.
Also recommended by brain researchers is the taking up of a musical instrument, and learning to play it, or learning to dance, which has the added benefits of helping your balance and burning off some kilojoules.
Canadian writer Norman Doidge MD, the author of the recent best selling book The Brain That Changes Itself, explains in it that the brain is very resilient and is capable of developing new abilities until the day we die. In fact, he writes, the brain continues to change in response to our environment, the tasks we set it, our own thoughts, beliefs and even imaginings. Doidge adds that it has always known that the mind could change, just not that the brain could change.
At a recent Learning and the Brain Conference, Doidge explained that the problem is partially due to how the brain has been considered throughout history, which has been from a combination of natural and mechanical perspectives; to a lack of technology for adequately seeing changes as they happen in the brain which we now have with MRI; to poor prognosis, in the past, for those with brain dysfunctions, coupled with insufficient clinical evidence of full recovery.
Dr Doidge deals at length with all these issues in his book, which has many further ideas and tips on how to best protect and encourage your brain to stay in peak condition through your life. It is wonderful to know that we can do something to help keep our brains sharp by challenging ourselves, and staying in social contact with others.