Our cognitive abilities decline with age. In fact, our brain’s volume peaks in our early twenties, and then gradually declines for the rest of our lives.
Does this mean we are doomed to a confused existence, forever searching for our car keys? According to the American Psychological Association, that’s not the case.
Psychologists researching the normal changes of aging have found that although some aspects of memory and processing change as people get older, simple behavior changes can help people stay sharp for as long as possible.
As shift workers, we need to pay special attention to brain health, as our schedule has been shown to worsen cognitive decline. Aside from adopting strategies more unique to shift workers, such as limiting circadian misalignment and sleep loss, we also need to engage in the practices that are applicable to everyone. In doing so, it’s possible we can preserve, and even enhance our mental abilities as we age.
We already know that exercise plays a key role in maintaining a healthy brain. But challenging yourself mentally is also crucial. Here are three ways to exercise the brain and improve memory.
Artistic pursuits
People who engage in artistic hobbies such as painting, drawing or sculpting are significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment. Art builds connections between the neurons and stimulates the brain to grow new ones by using the senses in new ways.
Change up your learning style
We all learn in different ways – and tend to gravitate towards the format that suits us best. But research shows that each learning style uses different parts of the brain. If we involve more of the brain in our learning, we improve our ability to retain and recall the information.
Life-long learning
“Lifelong learning is the key to maintaining cognitive function,” says Rosebud Roberts in the Mayo Clinic’s study published in Neurology.
Every time you learn something new, you’re strengthening synaptic connections in the brain.
You’ve probably heard the story about someone who retired, only to have their health quickly deteriorate on them. In order to live a long and healthy life, humans need to engage in meaningful work. Aging research shows us that It’s not just the meaning that keeps us young, but the act of engaging our minds.
Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, rediscovering an old one, or seeking a new career, the key is to keep the mind active.
3 Hobbies That Can Improve Your Memory And Maintain a Healthy Brain | Medium
Drowning in News
If you’re like me, you’ve been reading a lot more news these last few months. I was never one to stay up to date with current events. But this pandemic has created a sense of urgency that wasn’t there before. I’m finding it easier and easier to get lost in an endless scroll of bad news. And while there’s a clear drawback in the effect this stream of negativity has on our mental state, we should ask ourselves if there’s an opposing benefit to be gained as well.
Seth Godin summed this up nicely when he asked “If it’s not helping you take action to make things better, what’s it for?”
Doom scrolling | Seth’s Blog
Metabolic Syndrome
Looking at shift work’s list of health risks, there’s one that causes more head scratching than the rest.
Metabolic syndrome may be the most common and serious condition you’ve never heard of.
And a recent study published in JAMA shows that it’s on the rise. In fact, about one in three Americans has this condition. If you’re still wondering what metabolic syndrome is, and why it’s dangerous, Robert H. Shmerling M.D. at Harvard has your answers.
Metabolic syndrome is on the rise: What it is and why it matters | Harvard Health
Exercise and Cancer
A major review of the literature on exercise and cancer, published last fall, yielded some good, yet unsurprising results.
Regular exercise lowers your risk of developing a long list of cancers, in some cases by 10 to 25 percent; and if you do get cancer, exercise enhances the quality and possibly the expected length of your life.
A new theory has emerged to explain exercise’s powerful effect.
In short, fit people are able to ramp up and sustain high levels of energy consumption, which gives them the ability to mount a more robust immune response when cancer cells attack and also helps them to withstand the energy-sapping effects of tumors that do get a foothold.
The evidence to back up these claims isn’t really there yet. But the takeaway is clear: improve your fitness.
A New Theory on Exercise’s Anti-Cancer Effect | Outside
Filtering Out the Bad
Continuing with science, we move to an area where ample evidence does exist: Face masks can prevent coronavirus transmission and save lives. Yet not all masks are created equal. Click the link to find out which masks offer the best protection.
The Best And Worst Face Masks For COVID-19, Ranked by Their Level of Protection | Science Alert
Up Your Short Game
Most investment advice centers around the long haul; the buy and hold strategy that legendary investors like Warren Buffet Advocate. But what If you’ll need the money some time in the next five years? You can’t risk withdrawing from the market at the bottom of a short-term swing. And parking it in a checking account isn’t the most effective use of your money.
The Best Short-Term Investments | I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Stay healthy-
Jason Glenn