While cleaning out files earlier today, I came across some information that I probably posted a year or so ago under a different title. I think it’s appropriate for re-posting because last week someone in my PSY 203 (Human Growth & Development) class asked a question about infants and how quickly their brains develop. I reminded her that all of us, even elderly people, can keep our brains fresh and fit. HOW? Just how do messages get conveyed to and from the brain? What about synapses within the brain itself? How can we keep those synapses in good working order?
I came across some “neurobic” exercises proposed by Lawrence Katz, Duke University neurobiologist, and Manning Rubin in The Owner’s Manual to the Brain (love that book!). Each exercise is designed to form new associations among previously unassociated parts of the brain and bring new resources to a person’s consciousness. This “mental jogging” results in the formation of new synapses and the rejuvenation of already established synapses. I’m all for that. What about you? Which of the following seems like a “doable” exercise in your life? Can you think of other suggestions?
• Make different smells available from morning to night. • Occasionally use your unaccustomed hand to brush your teeth. • Switch what you normally wear (pins, wristwatch, pocket contents, hair part, etc.) on the left side to the right side and vice versa. • Take a different route to a frequent destination, such as work. • Try picking out the right coins (and other objects) without looking. • Turn things literally upside down, such as a picture in your office. • Chat with people whom you (and others) tend to overlook (e.g., store clerks). • If you’re not an artist, try painting or drawing a picture. If you are an artist, try doing it with your feet. • Try searching for food in the wild. • If you exercise indoors, try switching occasionally to outdoors and vice versa. • Master some new piece of technology from time to time. This could range from something as simple as a new wine bottle opener to a digital camera. • Try eating and preparing ethnic foods you’ve never experienced. • Acquire a new hobby.
We're psychology instructors (Jayne, Mark, Myles, Katie-in order of our being hired) at a community/technical college who are energized and excited by psychology and its applications to daily life. After all, what's the point of knowing about synapses unless the knowledge improves your understanding of moods, disorders, and memory (to name a few).
We've found that just about everything relates in some form or fashion to the science of human behavior, and it's our goal to help others to see that. Accordingly, we'll be posting opinions, comments, and questions and hoping that you'll respond. We'll also provide links to relevant articles and websites to further increase your knowledge
5 responses so far ↓
drtombibey // September 14, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I hope you’ll check my blog post today on left brain/right brain function.
drtombibey.wordpress.com
Ashleigh Plute // June 17, 2009 at 3:39 am
Lets face it, we don’t remember things the way we used to when we were younger. I know for me it was much easier in high school to remember and focus than it is in college. You have to keep your mind going with several different things. Personally, i find reading and learning new words can not only expand your mind, but helps you to keep your mind active and continually thinking. Some may do word puzzles others may get the little gameboy that has interactive games to challenge your mind and make your brain focus to its greatest potential. I believe that an idle mind is the devils workshop, i’m sure that a lot of people have heard this before. So, obviously if you keep your mind going and do something stimulating then you are more likely to have a brain that is highly functioning for an 80 year old. Plus, you’re only as old as you feel!
I'm a word person too. Sure hope learning a new word each day keeps my mind from getting too many of those axon tangles!henry page // June 12, 2009 at 9:23 am
I think the biggest thing is to just keep your brain active, always surch for some form of stimulation. i have always had this thing about making up some sort of a wild scenario and playing it out over, and over in my head changing small things about them each time. overall i think it just goes along with the old saying “use it or lose it.”
Great phrase (use it or lose it). In fact, I was reading something this morning about the powerful truth behind so many of the platitudes people use, and I think I might turn it into a blog.Sheri Hannibal // June 11, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I agree with Tricia!! I did 3 cruises on a naval ship, i know if u don’t do things to keep your mind occupied you will go crazy!! I use to do cross word puzzles and throught out the day i would ask ours some of the Questions to keep them thinking 2!!!!
Now that you're out of the military, do you still do things like this?tricia williams // June 9, 2009 at 2:19 am
All of those things are so simple. I’d like to know exactily what each of them do for your brain before I lose my pens and struggle to get my watch on the other wrist! I’m just kidding. I actually do a few of these things just for the fun of it. When stood on post for the military 12 hours a day, I used to make up and do math problems in my head and learn to spell new words to keep my brain from rotting! I also spent a lot of time trying to come up with better solutions to the military’s war dilemmas.
Twelve hours at a time??? I think I'd have gone stark raving mad! I often wonder what the men who guard the unknown soldier in Washington think about. By the way, did you come up with some better solutions to the military's war dilemmas?