“A man’s mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
It is back-to-school time of year again. Remember those early years when reading, writing and arithmetic were an integral part of your life? Maybe you liked the learning process, and had special interests and strengths; or perhaps school was not your cup of tea. But you were required to learn, and somehow, you did.
Now you are down the road many years and your brain health might become more of a priority. It is likely you have heard about the recent research of how to best maintain or improve your brain health. Do you have that same curiosity you had in those earlier years? Maybe you have looked at some of the research and found the suggestions overwhelming. Yes, there is lot we have learned but how to implement it into your daily routine can be challenging.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.” ~Albert Einstein
The concept of becoming a Superager will most always include updating your lifestyle choices, which can be hard to change. Interested in being one of those Superagers? Want to be as vibrant as possible?
Brain health can be supported in many ways and there are numerous habits that probably need to be addressed. Perhaps there is one that stands out as a major issue or you really want to make better choices in each of the areas. In some cases, you may need to check with your physician or consult with a functional medicine doctor in your area.
One of the concepts I find to be helpful, especially when there are a lot of changes to be made, is the one percent rule. In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear’s One Percent Rule refers to making small, continuous improvements daily, leading to significant long-term results over time.
Superager? Where to begin…?
First of all, what is your attitude toward making changes? Lifelong learning has been associated with better cognitive functioning.
The main pillars of brain health include addressing your patterns regarding restorative sleep, following a healthy diet (plus staying hydrated), stress management options, exercising and maintaining strong social connections.
It has been said that Superagers are like the Marines. They have a motto: Pain is weakness leaving the body. It may be necessary to push past the unpleasantness of intense effort.
Instead of your easy and fun word puzzles and games, seek out more challenging options. It may feel frustrating in the moment but it not only will help you to maintain a sharper memory but possibly improve your ability to pay attention better as you stop your “automatic pilot” comfort zone.
Learning more about an area of concern and learning new viewpoints can be very beneficial when taking the most current research into consideration.
“The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you.” ~B.B. King
It has been suggested that shifting priorities could be a significant contributor to age-related changes. Priorities will change as someone ages, so maybe right now is the best time to start reshaping your habits to maximize your brain health. In some cases, changes in aging such as hearing and vision loss and/or decreased mobility as well as resources or support may limit the choices that can be made. That does not make a difference if you find the most effective ways to get that information for your particular challenges or circumstances.
An article by AARP on Super Secrets of Superagers talks about the importance of lifestyle choices.
Superagers tend to:
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- Have blood pressure and blood sugar levels that are healthier than the general population
- Prioritize exercise
- Avoid stress and prioritize mental health
- Protect their hearing and vision
- Prioritize sleep
- Vary their cognitive challenges
- Talk to their friends… a lot
Think ahead a bit. Where are you not making the best choices? Apply the 1% rule instead of trying to change everything all at once. What matters most? Think about what little changes you can make. Get started and move on from there.
“Great things are done by a series of things brought together.” ~Vincent Van Gogh
