After a certain point and age in life our brains no longer function as they used to. They decline, they slow down, lose neurons and they can no longer learn new things as we once did, we find learning harder and it all seems to be quite a sad and depressing future, however, our belief is a MYTH! An ever-lasting myth that seems to of engrained into our very own brains. None of the above is true, in fact as you go into your 50’s and beyond your brain functioning will increase more than when you were half that age. There of course may be dips but some experts believe thinking you will mentally decline might make it so.

How can I say this? Well, the brain has plasticity. The brain has the amazing ability to change, modify, re-wire itself and adapt in its structure and function in response to learning, experiences, environment and setting. This happens throughout a person’s lifespan it has been found. Secondly, the brain creates around 1500 neurons per day within the brain’s hippocampus, the area used for some kinds of learning and memory. These new neurons are more excited and ready to learn if given the correct stimulation. So, between new neurons being created and most importantly the brains own ability to re-wire (creating new connections between neurons) we don’t have to decline and can excel instead.

 

What is the correct stimulation?

The first steps are knowing what we should avoid to the best of our abilities; stresses, bad diets, alcohol abuse, smoking and air pollution as examples.

Our second step is to use our brains, they are a muscle like others in our body, the more we use them the stronger they become the less we use them the weaker they become.

  • DON’T STAY PUT– if you are over 50 and you are sitting more than 7 hours a day you are more likely to start suffering with a mental health issue that could have been avoided. Make moving around a priority, a short walk, a few jobs around the house or garden, post a letter (younger readers won’t know what letters are but they are an exciting old way to communicate), visit friends or family and take a stroll to the local shops or park as examples.
  • EXERCISE– this is not just a walk but a little bit more exertion of your muscles. This can be done at the gym or at home. You do not need heavy weights either. Carrying your shopping home, wearing a 1lb weight of your ankles or wrists, a faster paced walk. Interestingly, exercise effects the hippocampus, the same area I mentioned earlier that helps with memory, learning and the creating of around 1500 new neurons. Studies and research have found exercise and the hippocampus effects our mood too such as alleviating and keeping at bay depression (Please seek advice from a qualified, experienced personal trainer as accidents can occur).
  • SLEEP– There are a hole host of reasons for a good night’s sleep, mental and physical. A good night sleep entails following the recommended hours sleep for your age bracket. Doing this will allow you to consolidate memories from that day, helps with brain function and there is now growing evidence that the brain will literally flush out toxins that have built up within your central nervous system whilst you sleep. Our brains glymphatic system is active at night and works like a sewage system and clears away any ‘rubbish’ from the day before. Brain toxins can cause all kinds of troubles including cognitive decline, disease and therefore it is better to sleep and use our natural functions to detox.
  • BRAIN STIMULATION– There are so many possibilities here which is great news.
  • Volunteering – many older people are not working or are retired and therefore their minds are not challenged.
  • Brain games– these can be found in shops, newspapers, smartphones and the internet. These too will challenge your brain to work and strengthen neural connections and bonds like volunteering and everything else in this list.
  • Challenge yourself mentally by seeking new experiences– learn an instrument or language, read a book, being socially active, playing a board game, challenging a friend, or start something in education such examples are Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport got her doctorate at the young age of 102, Nola Ochs aged 95 to become a college graduate and Archie White age 96 completed a degree in fine art.
  • EXERCISE YOUR MEMORY– practice remembering things, challenge yourself. There are plenty of memory tricks to see and learn. You will impress yourself and your friends.
  • COMBAT STRESS- It is all very easy saying avoid stress as I did earlier but there are active steps needed in decreasing and coping with stress which in life can be unavoidable. Some ways are through exercise and meditation but at other times it may be more useful to speak to a qualified, experienced individual that can help support you.
  • FAITH- believe in yourself! don’t resign yourself to defeat and the myth of inevitable decline because the facts and research simply don’t support this. Research shows time and time again that the brain re-wires, strengthens, improves, adapts, and learns.

 

Our role is to give it the chances.