It’s no secret that with age, brain health can deteriorate. For the elderly, adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential to preserve cognitive abilities such as memory and the ability to solve problems. These activities do not require much effort and are essential to stimulate the mind on a daily basis in order to stay sharp. Read on to help your brain stay fit!
To celebrate the 25th edition of Brain Week in 2023, this major event is taking place this month from March 13 to 19, under the coordination of the prestigious Society for Neuroscience. Brain Week’s main mission is to make the general public aware of the crucial importance of brain research and the scientific advances made in this field. As part of this initiative, the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation is joining as a partner to contribute to the dissemination of relevant information and to support research on this neurodegenerative disease.
All the events and activities organized throughout this week dedicated to information on the brain are accessible on the official website weekdubrain.fr. These events include conferences, workshops, screenings and various activities, in order to meet the expectations and curiosities of a varied audience interested in the theme of the brain.
On this occasion, we would also like to share some tips for taking care of your brain, and in particular your memory. Indeed, like a muscle, memory is strengthened and developed through exercise and regular solicitation. We therefore offer you 8 activities to adopt every day to improve your memory capacities.
Exercise :
Regular physical activity has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in older adults, particularly with respect to memory and executive functions. Physical exercise also increases blood circulation, which can help reduce the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, exercise releases endorphins, which can help improve mood and reduce stress.
Stimulating conversation:
Stimulating conversations can help keep the brain active and alert. Having meaningful conversations with friends and family members involves complex cognitive processes such as abstract reasoning, problem solving, interpreting emotions, and understanding language.
Learn new skills:
Taking on the challenge of learning a new skill helps maintain and even improve cognitive functioning by engaging different parts of the brain, even in old age. This can range from learning a new language to practicing a musical instrument to painting – any type of skill that mentally stimulates you will do.
Socialize with peers:
Staying in touch with society is essential for older people, as it helps them stay mentally alert while providing emotional support in difficult times. Scheduling to meet friends or family members with similar interests on a regular basis helps to stay positive while providing an opportunity to practice valuable communication skills like listening and speaking clearly in conversation. .
To play games :
Playing games such as card games, puzzles or board games can help seniors to concentrate better by appealing to their logical thinking skills as well as their creativity and level of concentration when they play against an opponent or a partner. Friendly competition stimulates the brain’s reward system, which builds motivation and helps maintain good mental acuity over time.
Meditation :
Meditation and relaxation techniques help reduce stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact brain health. Seniors can practice mindfulness meditation, yoga or Tai-chi to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
Sexual activity:
Sexual activity has positive effects on cognitive performance in older adults due to its ability to increase blood flow throughout the body, including the brain, while relieving stress, improving sleep quality, and releasing endorphins that boost mood considerably. Additionally, sexual activity has been associated with stronger feelings of closeness between partners, which provides emotional support for older adults who may experience loneliness or anxiety due to aging or other life changes. they may face at this stage of their lives.
Stay optimistic:
During a study carried out in the United States, it was revealed that people with an optimistic state of mind are on average 30% less likely to suffer from cognitive deficits. Optimism could help reduce the production of inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, which are known to be linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment.
The good news is that optimism is not an innate quality and can be developed through self-work, as Professor Amouyel explains. To cultivate this attitude, it is recommended not to let yourself be overwhelmed by negative emotions, but rather to learn to step back from events and put things into perspective. One of the keys to achieving this is to strive to live fully in the present moment, without being overwhelmed by thoughts of the past.
