The power of mind depends on an intact, functioning brain. Unfortunately, as we age, our brain undergoes significant biological changes. Among scientists who study aging, the phrase “use or lose it” has become an article of faith, confirmed many times by empirical research. In particular, scientists have discovered that if you do not stimulate your brain through appropriate mental activities, the basic building blocks of the brain “fall out”. That is, unless you exercise your brain’s thought processes, the underlying neurons and their connections to other neurons die. In the end, a lack of brain exercises in adulthood leads to a significant decline in your overall intellectual functioning.
How do you exercise the brain? Well, there is no one magic set of things you need to do to keep your mental process in good working order. Useful brain exercises come in many forms. The key is to stay curious and willing to learn new things, even in old age. This has been aptly demonstrated in a famous study of aged nuns. The Sisters of Notre Dame agreed to have their mental abilities tested over a period of many years. They further agreed to allow their brains to be examined after their death. Examination of their brains found clear biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease, even though they showed no signs of this devastating disorder when they were alive. The results suggest that high levels of mental activity may reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease!
Over the years, a variety of mental activities have been proposed as everyday brain exercises. For example, many people believe that listening to complex forms of music may be beneficial. The entire brain seems to be stimulated by music. This is because the brain is divided into two halves, the left and the right hemispheres. On the same level, music has two sides, the beat and the lyrical content. Scientists have discovered that while the music activates the right brain hemisphere, the left hemisphere is busy analyzing what is being said. This stimulation of the entire brain is said to allow one to develop both analytically and emotionally. At the same time, soothing forms of music may reduce stress that can interfere with thinking.
As noted, brain exercises come in many forms. So, read, work puzzles, and challenge your mind. But, if you really want to exercise your brain and strengthen the power of mind, start with your attitudes toward learning. You must believe that you are never too old to learn new things. You must be willing to try new things and push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Experiment with new learning experiences. For example, you might try to learn a new language. This is an excellent way to exercise both your memory and language skills.