As we start going through middle age to the senior years, most of us notice occasional memory lapses. The fear, of course, is that these minor “brain farts” are a harbinger of something worse occurring in the future, i.e. full-blown dementia.
We have heard that playing games that promote memory recall and/or concentrated thinking, i.e. “brain games”, can help ward off the progression of declining memory as we age. Is there any scientific proof that paying these computer or smart phone app games truly slow down memory loss?
There are a number of studies that have been performed assessing whether seniors that play these “brain games” actually demonstrate lower memory decline than those seniors that do not. Although there are isolated stories that point toward a positive impact, the majority of studies do not demonstrate any changes in memory decline by playing these “brain games”.
Okay, if playing “brain games” is not beneficial, what steps can we take? Here are a few (lifted from an online health newsletter from Harvard):
1. Eat a healthy diet. Adopting a Mediterranean-style diet — heavy on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean meats, and low in processed and sugary foods — can benefit your brain health.
2. Ditch bad habits. Illegal drug use, drinking too much alcohol, and not getting enough sleep at night take a toll on cognition.
3. Take time to socialize. People whose brains age well often have one thing in common: they have strong social ties. A 2011 study published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society found that among more than 1,000 older adults followed for five years, those who were the most socially active had 70% less cognitive decline compared with their less-social peers. But keep in mind that not all social experiences are beneficial. Negative or stressful relationships have been found to harm cognition.
4. Turn up the tunes. Listening to music or playing an instrument can benefit your brain. When you listen to music, it engages multiple regions of your brain, activating the parts associated not only with language but also rhythm and memory. In addition, music has mood-altering abilities, which can help get you out of a funk or calm and relax you after a stressful day.
5. Be mindful. Taking time out of your day to focus on the present and to reset can bring cognitive benefits, primarily because it reduces brain-harming stress. It can also get you into the habit of paying attention to what you’re doing — which can help you in numerous ways, among them remembering names, where you parked your car, or and where you left your keys. Taking a few minutes each day to do mindfulness training can make a difference. Learn how by signing up for an in-person or online class, or use a smartphone app or computer program.
6. Look on the bright side. A 2012 study published in The Journals of Gerontology found that positive thinkers appeared to have healthier brains than their pessimistic peers. Data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging demonstrated that those who reported positive attitudes about aging had 30% less memory decline than people who held more negative views.
“Brain health” is of utmost importance at all phases of our lives. This especially holds true for those of us over 60 years old. We all want to make NEW, fun memories and not be trapped by a brain that has faltered.
And today’s music selection will NOT be “Memory” from Cats or Elvis signing “Memory”…rather, a real oldie by Bob Hope (anyone out there remember him?)
