Throw a Brain Cell Building Party
Recently one my 60-something year old patients was expressing her frustration over that fact that her mind wasn’t as sharp as it once had been. Being in my mid-50’s, I could certainly sympathize with her! In a defeated tone she said, “Well, I guess that just how aging goes. Our brain cells just keep dying off and there’s nothing we can do about that!” While I agreed with her that our bodies were prone to decay, I responded by telling her there were many ways aging adults could stock up on NEW brain cells and even fortify the connection between our existing brain cells. “Wow,” she joyfully shrieked, “I can make NEW brain cells?!” “Yes,” I said to my extroverted patient, “and you can even make it a group activity!”
Here are some ideas for such a brain-building, social gathering:
Stretch Your Brain
As you age, your brain cells begin to die off and the connections from brain cell to brain cell become damaged. You can reverse these two trends by putting your brain to work. This weekend, why not host a game night? Ask your family and friends to join you in playing some games which require memory, concentration, or creativity, such as Catch Phrase®1, Guesstures®2, or Telestrations®3—or, follow my family’s lead and set about to build a 500-piece puzzle together.
Feed Your Brain
If your brain is going to be healthy, it must be fed a wholesome diet. Instead of entertaining with some “brain-draining” party favorites like soft drinks, packaged baked goods, and chips, serve up some brain-nourishing, fresh vegetables and hummus, have plenty of naturally flavored sparkling water on hand, and toss up an enticing dinner salad loaded with fresh raspberries, almond slices, grilled chicken, and crumbled goat cheese.
Fertilize Your Brain
When you exercise, the “stress” of physical movements prompts your brain to release a hormone (brain-derived neurotropic factor, or BDNF) which jump starts the new brain cell “birthing” process. Exercise also prompts the brain to “clean up,” causing it to put all its damaged cell particles out to the curb for recycling. A clean brain is a fog-free brain. So, get your blood pumping by dancing to some upbeat party tunes or by playing a high action, heart pumping game such as Dance, Dance Revolution®4 on the Wii!
1Catch Phrase®, by Parker Brothers
2Guesstures®, by Hasbro
3Telestrations®, by USAopoly
4Dance Dance Revolution®, by Nintendo
