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Feature: 6 ways to flex your mental muscle

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Throughout your life, it's as important to keep your brain fit as it is to keep your body healthy. Here are six ways you can flex your mental muscle and help preserve your memory over the long-term:

  1. Do some brain aerobics
    It's no accident taht Nintendo has targeted baby boomers and older Canadians for its Wii video game platform. Best-selling games like Big Brain Academy are being embraced by people of all ages as aerobics for the brain. Though some memory loss is normal as we age, mental stimulation can encourage nerve-cell growth and create more neuron connections in the brain. Research shows that older adults with well-exercized frontal lobes has better memories. Any new learning experience may hone this brain power, as can solving puzzles, reading, and play games, or learning a new language.
  2. Pump up your blood flow
    Exercize increases oxygen and blood flow to your brain, and that helps keep your hippocampus happy - a part of your brain associate with long-term memory. A columbia University study found that regular exercize over three moneths increased blood flow to memory-related brain areas and improved mental recall in participants. Even walking for 20 minutes a day, three days a week, can stimulate the brain.
  3. Chill out from stress
    Stress increases your body's production of cortisol, a hormone that can overwhelm the hippocampus and inhibit memory. Physical exercise and social activity are great stress relievers by makins us feel better about ourselves. Alternatively, ease stress with deep breathing and meditation.
  4. Expand your social network
    Good times spent with family and friends can banish the depression and anxiety sometimes brought on  by loneliness. A University of Michigan study found that even 10 minutes of conversation has proven as effective as more traditional mental stimulation in boosting memory.
  5. Nourish your brain
    Ever felt a "brain fod" after eating a carb-rich meal? A balanced diet really can maintain mental healthy. Research suggests that foods with B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acidds may help brain function. Foods rich in antioxidants - such as dark-green vegetables - may enhance memory by improving neuron communications and protecting against free radicals.
  6. Nap with abandon
    A good night's sleep seems to play a role in preserving memory. So does napping. As we sleep, it appears the brain consolidates and strengthens the memories it stores. A Nature Neuroscience study found that a 90-minute daytime nap helped subjects retain memory. Even if you do still misplace the car keys once in awhile, remember that smart food choices and mental and physical activities help feed a healthy memory.

Brain Food

Want to learn more about the brain and how it works?

McGill: www.thebrain.mcgill.ca
Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.ca

Here are some resources to put your muscle to the test:

Sharp Brains: www.sharpbrains.com
Braingle: www.braingle.com

View previous features:
Life Insurance: A Blessing at every stage of life

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