So, I was catching up with my girl recently. That might not seem like a big deal, but it is! It takes effort and patience. She works all week and flies to the Midwest every weekend to take care of her aging father. And as someone who hasn’t had a parent in 46 years, I can only imagine the challenge that this would be. I was someone that flew across country every week for three years for work! I get that part! It’s exhausting. She’s been doing this for a few years now since he took a spill and his health started to decline.
She’s not my only friend caring for aging parents. I have four girlfriends, and a few guy friends doing the same. One of my friends has two parents in their 90’s and they’re divorced, so she’s bouncing between two places! I imagine it’s both a gift and a stressor to care for aging parents. But my girl mentioned she is noticing some mental decline lately. He told her himself; he’s forgetting things. (But he remembered to tell her he’s forgetting things!) And while the immediate response is that this is to be expected with age, there’s a little more to it than age.
She said that for the past few years since his fall, and his need for a walker, he mostly sits in his recliner and watches the same old westerns on repeat. He says he doesn’t want to go be social at the senior center because, wait for it…..BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT TO HANG OUT WITH OLD PEOPLE. I know her Dad and I can hear him saying that. He’s quite the character. Before his fall, he was very active. He worked on cars, fixed bikes for the neighborhood kids, and was the neighborhood fish fry guy. Now, he sits. No books or games. He does nothing to challenge his brain.
While we all should know by now, that staying active keeps our bodies from aging rapidly, did you know that your brain works the same way?
For years, people believed memory loss and slower thinking were just part of getting older. Thankfully, science has proven otherwise. Your brain isn’t a machine wearing down with age. It’s more like a muscle that gets stronger the more you use it. The saying holds true once again. USE IT OR LOSE IT!
This amazing ability is called neuroplasticity, and it means your brain can grow, change, and even reverse some of the effects of aging. The brain thrives on challenge and novelty. Each time we learn something new, our brain forms new neural connections, which is the process that is neuroplasticity. Studies from Harvard and the National Institute on Aging show that engaging the brain through continuous learning helps preserve memory, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving skills. Every time you challenge yourself to learn or think in new ways, your brain builds fresh connections. Think of it as rewiring your circuits for better focus, sharper recall, and clearer thinking.
Learning keeps our mental circuits active and strong, much like exercise keeps the body fit. When you take on a new challenge, whether it’s learning to paint, learning a new language or skill, or just figuring out how to use that new app on your phone, your brain starts forming these new neural pathways. These pathways strengthen communication between brain cells, improving memory and mental agility. In fact, studies show that regular mental stimulation can even increase gray matter and encourage the growth of new brain cells.
In other words, it’s never too late to get your brain in shape!
Simple Ways to Exercise Your Brain
- Learn something totally new: Take a cooking class, a photography classl, an art class, learn guitar, or pick up a new language.
- Mix up your routine: Try using your non-dominant hand for small tasks or change your route on your daily walk.
- Play with purpose: Board games, puzzles, and even some video games can keep your brain sharp.
- Stay social: Conversations, laughter, and connection are powerful mental workouts too!
- Feed your curiosity: Read, write, listen to podcasts, or explore topics that make you wonder.
How else can we maintain cognitive health?
Physical exercise, managing your blood pressure, and a healthy diet all contribute to better brain health!
The Bottom Line
Your brain loves to be challenged, and it rewards you when you do just that. By keeping your mind active, you can not only slow down brain aging, but also reverse some of the damage. The result – More clarity. Better memory. Greater confidence.
So go ahead and try something new! Shake up your habits. You can’t stop the aging process, but you can slow it down, so you don’t have to.
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