Can anyone answer me why, with age, we gain things like wisdom, wealth (hopefully), children, and cellulite, but we don't gain brain power? My steel trap was once sharp -- now it leaks like a sieve. What's up with that? Life experiences pour into my mind every day, yet less is being retained. What can we do about it?
To add ten or more years to the life of our intellect, you have to pay attention to the glob of grey matter in your cranium.
Dancing Yup, shake your bootie and get down! This physical activity requires planning and coordination. The synchronicity found in martial arts also stimulates the brain system, according to Dr. Daniel Amen, MD, author of Magnificent Mind at any Age. So next time your honey suggests dancing or beating the crap out of each other in gees, go for it! And stay young.
Did you know if you work out four times a week you'll grow new brain cells in the vital memory area? Research has studied the adult brains of gym enthusiasts and measured the blood volume. Their physical activity produced more neurons, which in turn increased the growth of dentate gyrus cells. Jump on your dusty treadmills and exercise bikes. Sweat your way to sweet memories.
Drink plenty of water
You've all heard the necessity of consuming eight six-ounce glasses of water a day. Why? Because your brain is 80 percent water. Your neurons can't perform properly if they're not kept hydrated. Guzzle that water and keep the noggin functioning at high capacity. Writers need all their imaginative power at full throttle.
Get hori
zontal
Dr. Amen says to clock in seven hours of sleep a day. Hard to do when you have little kids that wake up every few hours. But the more rest you get, the more brain activity you'll have. Harvard Medical School studies show that the brain gathers divergent information and combines them into a logically connected whole while you're asleep. Feel free to snooze away and dump the guilt.
Spice up your life
Here's a partial listing of spices that can protect your brain from inflammation: Cinnamon, basil, rosemary, turmeric, thyme, and oregano. Three to seven teaspoons is the recommended daily amount of any combination of these. I sprinkle cinnamon in my coffee and yogurt, basil in my sandwiches, and oregano on eggs. The spices of life do more than taste good, they celebrate your cerebellum!
How do you stimulate and care for your brain and body? What ways have you found work best for you?
9 comments:
The thing that works best for me is long trail rides. They let me clear my head, relax and rejuvinate.
Awesome post. Great tips!
The way I eat, I should be a genius!
Great post. To help me think I listen to music. It always help me sort out thoughts.
Wow, I didn't know about the exercising. I do do exercises, but I may kick it up a notch to gain more brain cells, lol.
Great post! Thanks!
LOL. Thanks for the post -- I'm off to go get a drink of water.
And if nothing helps, there's still the old 'write it down'.
Guess I better up the water drinking. I try, but somehow it's hard for me to get half that much down. Off for a glass right now! thanks....Jean
I exercise too, drink my water, dance to my husband's humorous delight, and there's just some days... But when I have moments of clarity when I know it'll fill a page without hesitation, I usually find myself sitting on "the throne", no pencil in sight, or driving on the highway. LOL!
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Post a Comment