We’ve basically taken it for granted that the brain naturally decline with age. We believe that with age people become more forgetful, memories become fuzzy around the edges and learning doesn’t happen.
But this simply isn’t true, according to many scientists who investigate the brain.
Rather, it’s possible for the brain to keep changing and evolving throughout life. This wondrous phenomenon is called neuroplasticity.
At any age, when you learn something new or engage in an activity that strengthens brain processes, your brain will adapt – new connections between cells will be established and, if you’re talking about long-term memory, the cell itself will alter. Moreover, exciting studies are coming out reporting on the positive impact brain exercises have on such conditions as dementia.
Right now we treat the ages between 0 and 25 as the ‘learning window’, as though we have to cram in every bit of learning into these ‘special’ years. After 25, we tend to specialize. By the time we’re 40 or so, we know how to do our job pretty well. Work no longer requires the mental investment it once did. Instead of searching out new opportunities to learn and grow, we get cozy and plateau. Then we reserve retirement and beyond for TV and drinking tea.
This is an unfortunate state of affairs, because our brains, no matter what age, are hungry to learn.
Thankfully, the word is getting out about neuroplasticity. More and more adults are investing in activities that strengthen the brain: brain exercises, puzzles, reading, learning a new language, going back to school, etc. Even physical exercise has a positive effect on brain function.
Check out this report from Dan Rather that covers this fascinating topic.
What are you doing to keep your brain active as you grow older?
Hello, Michelle.
Great post and a very important subject. It'll take articles such as this to spread the word that the prevailing wisdom on the brain's plasticity has been wrong.
On my website I've put together a set of information about the neurological processes that lead to plasticity in the adult brain. My company publishes brain fitness software that employs a training method proven to increase short term memory and fluid intelligence. It creates just the right conditions for neural growth and plastic change.
Great blog! Best wishes,
Martin Walker
http://www.mindsparke.com
and retired years ago. I continued to read and years ago I developed an interest in Personal Growth and Self-Awareness. This opened so many doors for me. I teamed up with a friend who is a trainer and facilitator in Parenting skills. We formed a partnership called PEG and now do workshops and motivational talks on Parenting, Personal Growth with Consciousness and Sef-Esteem for the youth. My life is so full I do not have the time to be bored, or to bemoan my advancing years. I am anything but"retired". ofI am
I changed my mind by deleting all emotional negatives. For five years now, my mind has been at the 100% positive level. How did I do it? I would like to send you a seven page on how I did it.
Thanks. I need brain help. I have multiple Sclerosis. For 15 years I wad over druged before anyone could figure what was wrong with me. I keep me self busy Gardening .Dancing.yoga & tai chi. . I need to keep moving
brain required brain to modurate,one must be prepaired for new one.thanks for informations under research.......go on.....with best regards.
I am interested in anything to do with improving the brains performance.I had brain surgery twice.It was done on the right back lower part of my head.I have a big hole back there where the skull was removed because of the tumors.I suffer some short term memory loss.I am always hoping that my memory will improve with time,but I am 41 now and If I want to get better it will be on my own because as the doctors see it,I am as good as I am going to get.Thanks
Hi Marla(Hughes)Here is a technique u may find helpful,it has worked for me on my health issue. If u can get urself a small recording device and some head phones.They don't have to be expensive items. Then record urself saying for example "Your short term memory is perfectly healthy" U must use the word U, as u are talking directly to ur subconcious.U may not like to hear ur own voice, but ur subconcious does. This bit may sound and be tedious, but it is important. Repeat whatever it is u want to say 35 times in a soft firm happy tone of voice. U can get a system that allows you to only say it once and u can automaticallly set it to repeat as often as u want. But I find that by repeating it over and over is cementing a positive action to myself and I immediatly feel better. But do what u feel comfortable with. Always be positive in what u say.Continue to fill the tape or whatever u are using, with more postive instructions. Ur next one could be "Your brain is perfectly healthy" and "Your brain functions brilliantly" I like to put in a few of "You love and accept yourself" as well. You don't have to fill the whole tape at once, as u continue this, other instructions will pop into ur head, and that means it's beginning to work. So, once u have taped something, sit or lie down comfortably. Turn on the device and relax. Keep the volume low as u don't have to listen to it, ur subconcious can hear it. It's important too, that u don't tell anyone what u are doing, as some in their concern for u may be negative about it, and could put u off trying or continuing it. Play it every day as many times as u like but a least twice. U can listen to it as u go off to sleep at night, it doesn't matter if u fall asleep,ur subconcious never sleeps.U may notice postive changes in urself within a couple of days but usually it takes about 3 weeks or longer, DON'T give up, keep going. Remember it can take the body up 6 weeks and more to heal properly after an injury or an operation. So be patient. Please try it. Lots of love and GREAT health Loribet