We normally associate
the term cognitive development with babies and children. While many adults do
not think of developing themselves cognitively, they should do so, particularly
since cognition is one of the four categories of fitness that can add up to 15
years onto our life and greatly impact the quality of those extra years.
You can be many years
younger than your chronological age by making certain lifestyle choices,
including those that tax or challenge the brain. Research over the past 20
years has shown that certain regions of the adult brain can generate new
neurons and new synapses. In essence, whenever we learn something new, engage
in new activities or even ponder a new concept, the brain will rewire itself in
response to these activities. Just like babies, adults can keep growing their
brain and protect cognitive functioning as they age.
There are many positive
ways to build better cognition and to lessen the chances of developing
diminished cognitive ability, dementia, or Alzheimer's later on in life, all of
which make us act old and feel old. Here are ten of them.
1. Exercise to improve
cognitive function.
Exercise increases blood flow to the hippocampus, which is the part of the
brain responsible for memory. One recent study found that the loss of tissue
density in the brain was less in those who were aerobically fit, which is
another way of saying fit people have better cognitive functioning. Many other
studies show that exercise increases one's ability to learn, handle stressful
situations, make clear decisions, and recall facts and memories.
2. Watch TV and read
"actively."
The difference between watching The Bachelorette and watching
an educational science show is how active your brain has to be. Watching TV is
cognitively enriching when it takes effort to understand what you're watching
or sparks questions, ideas or "aha" moments. The same is true for
reading. A celebrity tabloid magazine takes less brain power to flip through
than, say, a magazine such as Smithsonian. Develop new connections
in your brain by reading something that's instructive instead of merely
entertaining. After reading or watching TV, make yourself recall what you just
learned. This exercise boosts retention.
3. Take up a new hobby.
Increase cognitive enrichment by taking on a new active pursuit that requires
learning, as opposed to merely attending a baseball game or concert. Some
examples include: gardening, antiquing, taking up an instrument, raising
chickens, learning a foreign language or selling items on the internet. Read
books, talk to experts, take classes, attend conferences or join organizations
related to your hobby. All of this learning activity develops new connections
between neurons, which helps offset cell loss due to aging or disease.
4. Solve all types of
puzzles.
Puzzles are an
outstanding way to build new connections in the brain. There are many types of
puzzles other than crosswords. These include acrostics, cryptograms,
syllacrostics and many other word-oriented brain teasers. Some brain teasers
don't involve words at all, such as Sudoku. It's particularly good for your
brain to seek out a variety. Or start with one type and, as you get better,
switch to another type of puzzle. Your brain will establish new connections for
each particular type of puzzle.
5. Play board games and
card games.
Games that involve strategy are excellent for the brain, especially those that
involve puzzle solving or new learning of some sort, such as Scrabble, Wheel of
Fortune, Jeopardy, Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly and Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire--all available in digital form as well. Chess and checkers are
excellent games because almost every game is unique, requiring a different set
of strategies each time. Card games can similarly help preserve cognitive
functioning because the player continues to perfect the most effective
strategies according to the opponent's playing style. You can also play card
games with a computer!
6. Visit museums, zoos
and historical sites.
There are many specialty museums as well as zoos and historical sites that will
help you build better cognition. To get the most out of the visit from a
cognitive standpoint, don't be a passive visitor. Read the signage next to the
exhibits, try to repeat the key information to yourself, and then do it again
once or twice during or after your visit. Not only will you retain what the
exhibits were about, but with some occasional recall attempts, you increase the
odds of being able to recall the information months or even years later.
7. Become a student
again.
Many continuing education courses are available that do not require being in a
degree program—you merely sign up for one or two courses whenever you feel like
it. Relatively inexpensive courses are available through community colleges. As
a student, you will get many chances to learn new things, and most instructors
will give you tests that will force you to recall the information learned.
Non-degree classes are offered in many areas, from technical subjects to local
community history, public speaking, relationships, poetry, and other friendly
topics.
8. Attend workshops.
Workshops, conferences and other gatherings where professionals in their field
share their knowledge offer another way to build cognitive function through
active learning. While these are commonly offered in a person’s profession, you
may find many others connected with hobbies and personal interests. One that
came across my desk recently, for example, was a workshop on how to trace your
family’s ancestry. Another was amateur backyard astronomy.
9. Reduce stress.
People with high amounts of stress are more likely to suffer from cognitive
problems than those who are free of stress. While medications can reduce the
symptoms of stress, they do not cure the problem or help you understand the root
cause of the stress, which is key. Since many meds require ever-increasing
dosages to be effective, and many have side effects, it is important to reduce
stress in more natural ways, including exercise, naps, individual counseling,
meditation, relaxing hobbies, spiritual growth, and other means.
10. Address depression.
Depressed individuals are more likely to suffer from cognitive problems later
in life than those who are free of depression. As with stress, many people who
are depressed merely run to their family doctor and say, "Can you give me
something for being depressed?" and walk away with a prescription. No
attempt is made to find out what is causing the depression in the first place,
let alone cure it. As with stress, there are ways to bring about a long-lasting
solution to depression besides medication, including individual counseling,
exercise, spiritual growth, career rejuvenation, goal setting and other
techniques.
