Keeping the brain tuned

What do you do to keep your brain tuned?
I was donating free rice today and felt that perhaps playing that game and learning new words is a good way to do that?

So I  enjoy the way features change online, as the internet is always bringing us new features - as does Gaia - andif I can learn to use them, I am sure that the grey cells [as Poirot would say!] are still working.

Do you think that works?

What do you do?

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

To keep my brain tuned I work at memorizing poetry - one piece of Mary Oliver poetry at a time. 

My husband and I start each day by enjoying a cuppa hot tea together while reading the current day's page in “Pocketful of Miracles” by Joan Borysenko.  And then we read one of Mary Oliver's poems.

It's a great way to jump-start the day!

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

I love doing logic puzzles, especially lately Japanese or Japanese-based number puzzles. But they have to be hard. I also like Cryptic Crosswords, not so much regular crosswords anymore—I like the twist you get with cryptic clues, they exercise your brain in different areas.

When I was a doctoral student (not that long ago) my supervisor suggested I join a thesis group run by someone from the university's counseling services. During my initial (private) meeting with the leader he asked the standard question: What is your favourite way of avoiding working on your thesis? I replied: I do logic puzzles. He practically laughed his head off, he'd never heard that one before. Most students apparently watch TV, hang out with friends, go to the pub, whatever. I always knew I was different, odd one out—maybe I'm not from 'here'? :)

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

Oh, do you Sudoku? I do the Brain Tuner on my phone; and get CTs[ cheap thrills] in getting 'em all right in some magical time! I always loved numbers and was horrid at math, but in school, I'd be working on maths to take a break from studying! So- wherever you're from, you odd one ;p - you're not alone!

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

very simple : Reading …& Swimmig …

….and how i wish i could do the latter as

often as possible …but for my age and the attendant retraints it calls for !!…

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

Tai chi, Qugung Yoga and working in my “garden”.
Riding my bike, walking, reading, messing around in the kitchen(with the food I mean:).

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

I read literature in different languages. Working on the pc with its magical non functioning every now and then and solving the problems keeps my little grey cells very active 

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

Staying Sharp If you hope to live a long life, it pays to ensure that you stay sharp enough to enjoy it. Researchers have found that the time needed to process information grows longer as you age — 2,040 milliseconds longer in one study that asked older and younger people to find gaps in a circle. Generally speaking, tests of memory, learning, and intelligence done with different age groups suggest there is only a slight decline in mental acuity over time. So you can teach an old dog new tricks. It simply may take a bit more time and effort.
However, problems that become more common with age can compromise your mental abilities. Hearing loss or poor vision can bar vital input and make it difficult to learn and remember information. Medications can affect concentration, initiate memory loss, or change the levels of key brain chemicals. Imaging studies suggest that hypertension actually causes small strokes that damage the brain. Not surprisingly, people with high blood pressure are more prone to memory impairment than those with normal blood pressure. Other problems — such as heart bypass surgery, dementia, strokes, trouble sleeping, and depression — can all affect intellectual functions, too.
Thankfully, you can do plenty to fight back.

Challenge your mind. Staying mentally active appears to help ward off memory loss. Engaging in challenging board games, reading, working crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument, and acquiring new skills keep your mind fit. Such activities seem to expand the web of neuronal connections in the brain and help keep neurons nimble and alive.



Challenge your body. Just like cells anywhere else in the body, brain cells crave a steady diet of oxygen. Physically active people are more likely to stay mentally active, too. Two Journal of the American Medical Association studies published in 2004 underscore this notion. After testing nearly 19,000 women ages 70–81 enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study, researchers found that those who engaged in regular physical activity scored higher on tests of attention, recall, and other markers of cognitive function and exhibited less mental decline than more sedentary peers. Vigorous exercise wasn't necessary — walking at an easy pace for at least 1.5 hours a week was nearly as effective as more active pursuits. Similarly, walking reduced the likelihood of dementia in a study of more than 2,000 men ages 71–93. Compared with those who walked over 2 miles a day, men who walked less than one-quarter mile a day had a 1.8-fold higher risk for developing dementia.

Get your rest. Too little sleep can affect memory. Six hours may be the minimum needed, although researchers testing college students found those who had eight hours were better able to learn new skills. Interestingly, some experts believe sleep inhibits stress hormones.

Limit stress. Researchers speculate that consistently high levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, may impair nerve cells in the hippocampus, which oversees certain types of learning and recall. In a randomized study, healthy adults were given a daily dose of cortisol for four days — either a low dose that mimicked the amount released under everyday stress or a high dose. Those who had higher doses recalled fewer details of texts read to them each day. Their memory impairment was reversible once the cortisol wore off. Meditating, performing yoga or tai chi, or using other stress-reduction techniques regularly helps ease stress.

Watch your weight. Staying within a normal weight range lowers your risk for illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, which can compromise memory to varying degrees.

Check with your doctor. Are you getting annual checkups for hearing and sight? Are there any factors — such as medications, vitamin deficiencies, or chronic conditions — that could be better managed to help you stay as mentally sharp as possible? Discuss these issues with your doctor. From the Harvard Health Publications Special Health Report, Living Better, Living Longer: The Secrets of Healthy Aging. Copyright 2005 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Illustrations by Harriet Greenfield and Marcia Williams. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health Publications. Used with permission of StayWell.pryms@msn.com&utp=tg=M;c=30;c=50;ta=55;&rd=http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/staying-sharp.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyAging_20090822" target="_blank">

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

There is a direct correlation between your physical health and brain health.
Especially circulation. The brain needs blood, lots of blood. Poor circulation in other parts of our bodies is indicative of poor circulation in our brains, If you have a clogged heart, you probably have a clogged brain.

If you would like to know more about brain fitness, read some of Dr. Amen's books or watch his seminars on PBS.
http://www.amenclinics.com/my-brain-health/

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

This is a great discussion thread.  And remember, the brain needs lots of water to stay fully hydrated.  So drink up – water, water and more water – cheers!

Re: Keeping the brain tuned

I play Jeopardy most nights and it does help me with memory .
Playing bridge is also good.Reading books will  allow  comprehension  to  stay intact.Being relaxed,being mindful and learning new things all help.
Keeping a daily journal will allow you to have better recall.