Chapter 2: Staying Sharp: Giving Your Brain a Workout 21
Early diagnosis and tight control of these conditions may help prevent
some of the ill effects on your cognitive health.
Revving up your synapses
So you’re already trying to reduce your stress, exercise, eat right, and get serious
health conditions under control. What else could you possibly have time for?
Please believe me when I say that stimulating your brain doesn’t have to be a
complicated process. And it certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. In a
nutshell, here are the goals:✓ To encourage your brain to work in new ways by engaging in new activities
or doing your routine activities in new ways
✓ To achieve the first goal on an ongoing basis, which means continually
shaking up your routines
An infinite number of roads can lead to these goals. Here are just a handful of
ideas to get you thinking:
✓ Add new workouts to your exercise routine: Not only will your muscles
be challenged, but if you’re trying something new to you, your mind will
have to be engaged as well. Consider doing something truly challenging,
such as taking a dance class or joining a sports team for seniors.
✓ Volunteer for an organization that truly interests you: Make sure you’re
coming from a place of genuine interest — not obligation. Choose an organi-
zation whose mission you find fascinating, and let the staff know that you’re
eager to learn new things.
✓ Read something new: One of the best ways to boost your brain power is
to read more — and to read more carefully. Consider types of books and
magazines that you’ve never picked up before. If the only books on your
shelf are mystery novels but you think historical biographies might pique
your interest, visit the library and give one a try.
✓ Take a class: Some colleges and universities offer special programs that
allow seniors to take courses at discounted tuition rates. Also, check with
community centers, churches, and other nonprofit organizations that may
offer classes. Again, new is best: If you’ve been knitting for 40 years, an intro-
ductory knitting class may offer social opportunities (which are always good
for mental stimulation) but not much in the way of a challenge.
✓ Get together with friends: Staying social is key to keeping your brain in gear.
But don’t get stuck in routines: If you find yourself hearing the same conver-
sations every time you see certain people, figure out how to shake things up.