It's never too late to prioritize brain health! Here are some simple ways to maintain and improve cognition.
When we talk about being "healthy," we often only consider what we can see or feel. But what about how we think? Cognitive health also impacts healthspan — the years people live in good health with vitality and purpose.
To illustrate what healthspan is and provide guidance on how to live a long and healthy life, we've developed the HumanGood healthspan initiative — made up of measures, programs, research and awareness content (such as this communication) for our residents and team members. We will periodically share healthspan-related educational articles and insights for increasing healthspan and quality of life.
Today, we focus on brain health and why it's never too late to prioritize it in your everyday life. We offer some simple steps — backed by the latest research — that you can take to maintain and improve your cognition.
Improving cognitive health
As we age, our body systems undergo certain changes that affect our muscles, metabolism and brain. Because less use leads to diminishing performance, we may experience reduced muscle strength, decreased flexibility, new nutrient requirements and reduced neural connections.
But you can help combat this loss by keeping your brain sharp.
What are some other ways we can keep our brains sharp? Here are a few suggestions from experts in the field:
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Stay social. Have coffee with a friend, reach out to a high school buddy, volunteer or join a club to get involved in the community.
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Stay engaged. Keep your mind stimulated with structured games, such as crossword puzzles, or try learning a new language or recipe.
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Stay active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week that includes a variety of movements. That's right, physical activity supports brain health!
Change can be hard. Experts advise starting small. Build healthy habits gradually and focus on consistency over intensity. For more info on cognitive fitness, check out Cognitive Fitness: Help your brain look great in spandex. And most importantly, if you have concerns about your brain health, consult your physician.
Can we help the aging brain?
For many seniors, neurodegeneration due to brain aging is a serious concern. Scientists have been researching for decades whether or not humans are capable of stalling or even slowing the degeneration of neurons, which is widely considered to be a cause of cognitive disorders, such as dementia.
Associate professor Ashley Webb, Ph.D., investigates the molecular mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration at The Buck Institute's Webb lab. She studies cognitive activity in animals to draw parallels between their brain activity and that of humans.
"It's been dogma that after reaching adulthood humans can't form new brain cells," according to The Buck Institute. Research has disproven this dogma in rodents, leading to the hypothesis that the human brain may have the same capacity for neurogenesis, regrowing and developing nervous tissue. Such findings offer hope for minimizing the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer's.
Lifelong learning for lifelong health
"I care about brain health because I want to remember the names of all the people in my community and to contribute to the meaningful conversations that happen around the lunch table." —Dorothy Keane, HumanGood resident
A healthy brain means prioritizing lifelong learning. What does it mean to be a lifelong learner? An article by Claire Spafford, science educator at The Buck Institute, says: "Keeping our brains plastic through exposure to new experiences keeps them primed to adapt to the changes that come with aging."
She notes that "engaging in interesting problems, developing flexible strategies and interacting with other people helps a brain build a rich network of synapses and supports the plasticity necessary to respond to new challenges."
Don't just think. Engage. Explore. Expand. Because there's evidence that "neurons start forming new synapses within a few hours of trying something new," which means your brain is just waiting to soak up some new knowledge!
Parting advice
A healthy mind is the foundation for a healthy life. Keep your mind stimulated by getting enough physical exercise, staying social and pursuing lifelong learning.
Our mission at HumanGood is to inspire your best life, and that requires a holistic approach to wellness — one that considers every aspect of personal health, including mental and physical. By providing you with the information and resources you need to maintain and improve your health, we fulfill this mission and help create a better community for our residents and their families.
The content of this article was reviewed by Dr. Chris Jaeger, MD, consulting medical director, HumanGood.
