Train Your Brain

One of the biggest changes in our “thinking” about the brain revolves around the notion that we are born with a set number of brain cells, which we start to lose as we age. Not true. We make new brain cells every day. So it follows that there are numerous actions we can take to stimulate brain growth. Compare this to muscle loss and weight gain as we age. We know as we get older we tend to lose muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories than fat. By performing weight lifting or resistance training, we can effectively counter balance aging muscle loss and the subsequent weight gain. Through out the body, no matter if it is muscle, joint or brain a common theme prevails: You must either use it or lose it! This is exciting! There are many things we can employ helping our minds stay healthy and active no matter what age.

Get Up! Get Up and Move That Body!

Exercise improves mood by increasing levels of some “feel good” neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin). Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain. If you increase blood flow to an area, then you increase nutrients in an area. More nutrients in the brain help with daily brain function and help prevent age related memory loss. Studies of mental tests show that physically fit older men score just as well as their counter parts decades younger.

What type of exercise is best for my brain?

Aerobic activity increases blood flow to the brain. However, you need well-rounded fitness program encompassing resistance training, cardiovascular work, and flexibility exercises to keep the body in tiptop shape. However, combining coordinated movements with complex thinking really works the brain out. Why? Not only are you increasing blood flow, but you also force the brain to think creating a “mental workout.” For example, Tae kown do or ballroom dancing help improve the ability to process and remember information. These are also social activities, which plays a part in brain health as well. Social folks are depressed less and aren’t sick as frequently as their antisocial counter parts.

Mental gymnastics also key.

Studies illustrate folks that were more intellectually active throughout their lives have a much later onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Mental challenges change our patterns of thinking and behavior. In Minnesota, the nuns of the School Sisters of Notre Dame stay intellectually active by playing chess and engaging in debates. They have fewer and milder cases of dementia than the general public. Learning and moving are the activities the brain responds to by developing its own system to conquer these challenges.

Meditation or spirituality plays a role in brain health.

Meditation/spirituality promotes soothing and quiets the brain’s electrical activity. The positive feelings that result change brain chemistry, improve mood, alertness and mental resilience.

Take care of your spine.

The spinal cord is a long extension of the brain. When there is injury anywhere around the spinal cord, it can affect one’s out look, body processes and body chemistry. Likewise when there is discord within the brain, such as stress at work, a loved one passing, or a daughter/son divorcing, tends to aggravated musculoskeletal conditions like low back pain or neck pain. Therefore when talking about brain health we cannot do so without talking the whole body into account. Take care of yourself! The body is an amazing self-healing organism. It is never too late to take preventative measures.