Fighting Off Senility

Something came up on one of the morning shows yesterday that intrigued me. I'd like to grow older like my Mom and several octogenarians here at Gather - still aware of what's going on in the world, still caring about the world, and still curious. A doctor on that morning show discussed a couple of ways to help all those positive things happen as we age. After the show I did some more research on the web.

Performing activities with your non-dominant side creates new neuro-pathways in the non-dominant side of your brain. This not only "teaches" the half of your brain you use least to learn, it also gives you the benefit of having those neuro-pathways already in place should you have a stroke on your dominant side.

I'm right-handed. Some activities I could perform occasionally with my left hand, leg and foot are just simple things. It's also important to note that you need not master doing the task with with your non-dominant side to derive benefit from the exercise. Here are some of the activities you could do with with your non-dominant hand to lay new neuro-pathways in the right side of your brain:

Comb your hair.
Brush your teeth.
Put on your glasses.
Try writing something a couple of dozen times.
Load the washing machine.
Dust the furniture.
Push the vacuum.
Walk the dog.
Hold a book.
Stack change.

 

Well, you get the idea, simple tasks, repeated a few dozen times, lays new neuro-pathways in the brain that will never go away!

To make new neuro-pathways for both sides of your body, try doing some simple things with your eyes closed, again, after doing these a couple of dozen times, the pathways are permanently there:

Eat something simple with a fork or spoon with eyes closed.
Shower, using the soap in both hands.
Brush or comb your hair.
Brush and rinse your teeth.
Write with eyes closed.
Wash dishes.
Fold clothes.

Again, you need not master the tasks at all, just repeat them a couple of dozen times over a couple of weeks.

Another excellent way to exercise your brain and lay new pathways for learning, do some of these activities several times a week:

Play chess or another game you haven't played before.
Play cards, even Solitaire if you have no partner.
Put together simple jigsaw puzzles.
Try your hand at crossword puzzles.
Organize something - alphabetize your bookcase or organize your family photos.
Try a new recipe.

Remember, you don't have to master or even get good at any of the above tasks. Even if your six-year- old Grandchild beats you at chess every time, just thinking in a new way and trying to look ahead to the next play is flexing your brain and teaching you to continue learning.

These things can be done occasionally but still give great benefit to the aging brain:

Map out a route to the mall or church that you've never driven before.
Start your grocery shopping backwards, starting where you usually end.
Read a book that is completely out of your comfort zone - if you are a mystery fan, try a short sci-fi.
Try an art or craft you've been interested in doing.

These things are so easy that I'm already doing some of them myself. I can't help getting older, but I don't ever want to surrender to dementia or just being an old fuddy-duddy in general, and these mind  flexes are lots easier than push ups or Pilates!