How to keep your aging mind sharp
Just as we need to exercise our bodies to keep them healthy as we age, we must also exercise our minds to keep them from deteriorating.
Research shows that people who engage in more activities that stimulate the mind have sharper cognitive functioning as they age than people who do not challenge their brains. In fact, intellectual pursuits not only prevent a gradual decline in mental ability, they may also provide some protection against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Activities that are known to be beneficial include taking courses, reading, playing social games such as cards or chess, cultural visits and volunteering. Research has also shown that people who take part in more social activities tend to have sharper minds than those who pursue more solitary pursuits such as gardening and household tasks.
All of this supports the ‘use it or lose it’ theory of mental ability, which treats the mind in much the same way we treat our muscles. If we don’t use it regularly, it will deteriorate.