How to Keep Your Brain Young
Our brains naturally start to lose certain functions from our early 30s onward which can lead to cognitive frailty or cognitive decline. A lack of stimulus to the brain may be the biggest contributing factor to this decline.
Studies show that the earlier we retire, the earlier we reach cognitive decline or have reduced cognitive function.
But we can make new brain cells and connections in certain areas of the brain at any age.
What’s needed to build a brain is nutrients and stimulus - to eat well and to try new things, fail and then try again - something we do repetitively when we’re younger but adults don’t often continue that.
At around age 30 we tend to spend time improving on the things we are good at, especially in the work place or our hobbies but we tend to stop challenging the brain to try something new.
From the age of 30 we also start to lose lean muscle mass on our body - in order to retain or rebuild that muscle we must exercise and challenge it, and it will grow with adequate nutrition, rest and recovery.
In the same way, with stimulation, nutrition, rest and recovery and reduced stress levels we can simulate brain cell growth too.
Post pandemic, many young children’s development has been affected by lack of social interaction and equally many older adults have suffered with cognitive decline due to prolonged isolation.
So how can we make up for a lack of cognitive stimulus and start to reverse this?
There are quite a few ways to exercise and stimulate your brain to promote an increase in brain cell production and new connections in the brain.
Learn a language
Learn an instrument
Physical movement - especially coordinated or dance moves
Resistance training - using light weights, resistance bands, body weight or heavier weights/machines at the gym
Knitting or a similar activity
Play video games
Do some online brain training
Physical movement to music with coordinated moves are proven to have a highly beneficial effect on the brain. And doing this in a social setting like a group fitness class is even better.
So coming to one of my local fitness classes or online virtual workouts, which are all based around resistance training, music and movement are perfect for this.
It’s best to choose something you enjoy but also find challenging and try to do it 3 times a week. Focus your full attention for 20-30 mins on the activity (excluding the time it takes you to warm up/cool down or get into the task you’re doing) and then give your brain adequate time to rest and recover.
By doing this you will have stimulated your brain to grow and thrive, slowing down cognitive decline and most importantly leaving you feeling fantastic.
Are you over 40 and want to get fitter and stronger? Find out more about my fitness classes in Whetstone here and if you want to keep fit in your own home then check out my virtual classes here!