I read this article called "Brain Magic". It is about how people's brain's are affected when they get older. Researchers used to think that people lost thirty percent of their neurons as they aged. That is not the case anymore. Neuroscientists say that if the aging person is healthy than he or she will keep most of the neurons for the rest of their lives. Then in the article they went on and discussed ways that people can keep their cells in tip top shape.
The first one is to seek out different ideas and challanging people. The pathways in the brain are strengthened every time that a memory is recalled. If someone always uses the same route the brain is less likely to get stimulation it needs to spur new development. It is like the poem by robert Frost, the two paths. It turned out the the past path was the one that was never taken. So try reading a challenging book or learn a new language. Anything will help as long as the person gets out of his or her comfort zone.
The next one is to exercise often. Like a heart the brain needs blood flow in order to function properly, the best wat to get it is through regular exercise. Some researchers think that exercise might even prompt the growth of new brain cells. The brain is a vital organ without it we would not survive. So why not keep something this important healthy and working to its full potential.
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Its interesting that they are claiming exercise not only is good for your body, but your brain as well! Good find
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool that exercise helps the brain. I would never have thought of that.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea if we can only get people to push themselves to do exercise and challenge themselves!
the more you exercise the brain the better it becomes. Interesting like that idea
ReplyDeleteI have actually done exercising for my brain, but not in the same way that most people would think. One alternative that people could do to exercise their brain is to do some very easy math problems (like 3 times 5, 12 minus 7, etc.) as fast as possible. This stimulates the brain to higher degree than trying to work out a single hard math problem. Also, reading a passage from a book or a news paper as fast as possible really works too. If and when I do these, it is on my Nintendo DS with a game called Brain Age, made specifically for this purpose.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating idea. Exercise is a very healthy tool to help us stay fit and have more energy. It is fantastic that it can also help the brain, something I kind of figured but it's amazing to know after you read this. Because it does help the brain stay active. Even if it something like a quick step to just keep the brain fresh in doing activities of some sort. The brain is everything!
ReplyDeleteIt only makes sense that the use of some part of our body makes it stronger. After all isn't that how we evolved?
ReplyDeleteGood idea Jake,I had not thought of that. When learning to type we are told to type as fast as we can, not wanting accuracy, but speed. The same process could work with the brain. I will be trying your exercise.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with this post. Most people think the key to a long and healthy life is by eating healthy and staying physically fit, but that is only 50% of the battle. The rest of it comes with keeping your brain active and always presenting it with new and exciting challenges. By doing so, your brain will keep all those neurons up and running.
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