And one final topic for today. It's on neuroplasticity,
which is the term used to describe your brain's ability to
form new neural connections as you go through different
life experiences.
Neuroplasticity is of special interest to physicians and
scientists that study ways to decrease risk of Alzheimer's
and other forms of dementia.
Of all of the life experiences that affect neuroplasticity
and your ability to ward off dementia, the very latest
studies are indicating that no factor is more powerful in
preventing dementia than BEING SOCIALLY ACTIVE.
More-so than drinking from engaging literature, playing high
level sports, or using your brain to do crosswords or sudoku,
PUTTING YOURSELF IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SITUATIONS THAT
REQUIRE YOU TO INTERACT WITH NEW PEOPLE AND IDEAS appears
to be the single most important way to keep your brain
healthy.
Intuitively, this makes sense, since being social often
requires multiple layers of thinking and communicating, with
surprises around every corner.
And no, updating, liking, and commenting on our facebook
pages doesn't stimulate our brains the way that live,
face-to-face-type social situations do. :)
Interesting stuff, right? If you have family members or
friends who live like hermits but might shake things up if
they had this info in their melons, maybe pass this bit along.
which is the term used to describe your brain's ability to
form new neural connections as you go through different
life experiences.
Neuroplasticity is of special interest to physicians and
scientists that study ways to decrease risk of Alzheimer's
and other forms of dementia.
Of all of the life experiences that affect neuroplasticity
and your ability to ward off dementia, the very latest
studies are indicating that no factor is more powerful in
preventing dementia than BEING SOCIALLY ACTIVE.
More-so than drinking from engaging literature, playing high
level sports, or using your brain to do crosswords or sudoku,
PUTTING YOURSELF IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SITUATIONS THAT
REQUIRE YOU TO INTERACT WITH NEW PEOPLE AND IDEAS appears
to be the single most important way to keep your brain
healthy.
Intuitively, this makes sense, since being social often
requires multiple layers of thinking and communicating, with
surprises around every corner.
And no, updating, liking, and commenting on our facebook
pages doesn't stimulate our brains the way that live,
face-to-face-type social situations do. :)
Interesting stuff, right? If you have family members or
friends who live like hermits but might shake things up if
they had this info in their melons, maybe pass this bit along.
What I love most about this, along with most of the healthy-living things I've come across lately, is that it is practically free to get involved with others. Of course, what you're doing *WHILE* being social may cost a little, but it doesn't have to be exorbitant :-)
