The World According to Me

Your brain is one of the most important organs you have. Many people worry about how their hearts, lungs and skin are aging, but don’t give a thought about their brains. Making sure your brain is healthy can help with recovery from trauma such as strokes.

The good news is it is never too late to start. So how do you train your brain?

1. Challenge your brain. Our brains start slowing down early (like in our 30’s), because our neurons are deteriorating. Lucky us we can slow that process by giving our brains new challenges. Think of it like weightlifting for your brain. You can grow new neurons and old dogs can learn new tricks. Find things you enjoy doing and master new skills. Most people have a list of things they would have like to have learned. So now is the time to try learning a new language, pick up an instrument or learn to salsa. Your brain will thank you.

2. Take a break. The old adage about sleeping on a problem may be right. When you are working on a complex task try taking a break. A good nights sleep has been shown to increase your chances of finding a creative solution to a problem.

3. Socialize. Studies have shown that having a discussion can stimulate the brain almost as well as brain exercises.

4. Exercise. It’s not just good for your heart. Exercise will increase blood flow to your brain and helps fight against diseases that are tough on your brain (like Diabetes). It also causes a chemical to be released (called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF for those who like details). This chemical protects our neurons and encourages them to extend the connections between them. Those connections help us with memory and learning tasks.

5. Eat. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are not just good for your body, they are good for your brain. A diet rich in anti-oxidants is the way to go. Look for color in your fruits and vegetables and foods containing good fats, like Omega-3.

6. Chill. High levels of stress can cause our brains to perform poorly. Identify the things that cause you stress and find a healthy way to relieve it. Meditation, yoga or tea with a friend.

And remember wisdom does come with age. You have many more experiences and practice in interpreting situations. So don’t sell your brain short.