Staying Mentally Sharp Takes Brain Work

Monday, July 02, 2007

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Research is increasingly showing that aging doesn't automatically result in a steady erosion of brain cells. Rather, older adults who work their brains can develop new connections between brain cells.

A brain workout — using the mind in a wide variety of new and challenging ways — can activate cells throughout the brain. The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these suggestions to stimulate the mind:

Working the left brain — Language, number and reasoning activities are often considered left-brain activities. Reading, writing, learning a new language, completing number or work games, balancing a checkbook without a calculator and fixing broken objects are left-brain activities.

Working the right brain — Music, art and using the imagination are considered right-brain activities. Options to stimulate this side include reviving a musical talent, singing in a choir, knitting, quilting or taking art classes.

Breaking a routine — Long-familiar daily routines can become so ingrained that little thought is required. When one breaks up routines, meets a new person, learns a skill or takes a different route to the store, the brain is engaged.

Remembering or memorization — Brain-building ideas include memorizing phone numbers, the words to a poem or people's names.

Trying meditation — Studies have shown that meditation activates the parts of the brain associated with happiness and contentment and reduces stress and anxiety. This effect can occur even in those new to meditation, and grows more robust with practice.

Engaging in social activity — Engaging in conversation or activity with a wide variety of people — family, friends or strangers — can be one of the most complex and varied tasks that the mind undertakes. Social engagement has been linked in many studies to the reduction of mental decline.

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About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. Doctors from every medical specialty work together to care for patients, joined by common systems and a philosophy of "the needs of the patient come first." More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers and 46,000 allied health staff work at Mayo Clinic, which has sites in Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Collectively, the three locations treat more than half a million people each year. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.