Alzheimer's is one of the most dreaded diseases of all, for me at least. While other conditions that make one physically weak or bed ridden are equally bothersome, what sends innumerable chills down my spine is the fear of losing memory.
In the past, I would consider my inability to remember names or phone numbers, an amusing personality trait. Not any more though. After watching my grandfather succumb to Alzheimer's disease, I have developed a very healthy respect for brain and memory.
I realize that letting my memory slip can be disastrous in the long run and not remembering simple things is definitely not funny. Overlooking minor memory lapses means that I am courting a lifetime of more memory slips and lesser brain activity. By neglecting to exercise my brain enough, I am actually helping it transform into an empty box.
Photo Courtesy Violator3
While there are people born with photographic memory, I am certainly not one of them. In fact, I am sure I have a particularly low number of brain cells and am genetically disposed to using even lesser of those :(
Hence, it is up to my will power to make a difference to my brain if I intend to avoid its total decay. Doctors have found that it is not given that memory decline with age. There are several ways to keep our brain sharp throughout our lives and, perhaps, avoid mentally weakening conditions like dementia. What truly amazed me is the finding that you can actually increase the number of brain cells if you spend time exercising them. This totally reverses the traditional suggestion that our brain deteriorates with age.
Age, at least in this case, is totally in the state of mind!
There are many methods proposed to give our brain the much needed boost. While, unfortunately, there is no way to predict that these methods will keep one from developing mental illnesses like Alzheimer's, what they can certainly do is give us a head start in training our brain to be smarter and sharper.
Here is a list of brain tonics that promise to keep us mentally agile. The description of each comes in the next blog.
In the past, I would consider my inability to remember names or phone numbers, an amusing personality trait. Not any more though. After watching my grandfather succumb to Alzheimer's disease, I have developed a very healthy respect for brain and memory.
I realize that letting my memory slip can be disastrous in the long run and not remembering simple things is definitely not funny. Overlooking minor memory lapses means that I am courting a lifetime of more memory slips and lesser brain activity. By neglecting to exercise my brain enough, I am actually helping it transform into an empty box.
Photo Courtesy Violator3
While there are people born with photographic memory, I am certainly not one of them. In fact, I am sure I have a particularly low number of brain cells and am genetically disposed to using even lesser of those :(
Hence, it is up to my will power to make a difference to my brain if I intend to avoid its total decay. Doctors have found that it is not given that memory decline with age. There are several ways to keep our brain sharp throughout our lives and, perhaps, avoid mentally weakening conditions like dementia. What truly amazed me is the finding that you can actually increase the number of brain cells if you spend time exercising them. This totally reverses the traditional suggestion that our brain deteriorates with age.
Age, at least in this case, is totally in the state of mind!
There are many methods proposed to give our brain the much needed boost. While, unfortunately, there is no way to predict that these methods will keep one from developing mental illnesses like Alzheimer's, what they can certainly do is give us a head start in training our brain to be smarter and sharper.
Here is a list of brain tonics that promise to keep us mentally agile. The description of each comes in the next blog.
- Learn something new to stimulate mind
- Interact socially to improve brain's inter cellular communication
- Try mental exercises (like puzzles, crosswords) to dust mental cobwebs
- Exercise the body to preserve your mind
- Eat healthful food to prevent cognitive decline
- Reduce stress to increase brain longevity
