Feeding Mind and Body

Yesterday, as Dee went to exercise class, and I did the stationary bike and treadmill at home, I watched a great program on our local PBS station called "The Brain Fitness Program." It was about studies being done on the brain and the realization that the brain has "plasticity." Or the ability to always grow new neurons. No matter what the age, and no matter if there is an illness or stroke.

It seems there is a new field of study that studies these possibilities and it's called "neuroplasticity." And it explores ways to make our "brain span" equal to our "life span." Evidently they've learned a great deal and summarized it in "Seven Tenets of Brain Plasticity." Since I am very interested in keeping my brain sharp as I age, I took notes (This part came after I'd finished the treadmill.) Here are the 7 tenets:

1. Change can only occur when we are in the mood. (that is when we are really paying attention)

2. Change strengthens connections between neurons that are engaged at the same time.

3. Neurons that fire together wire together (That how we learn what goes with what and what comes next. Simultaneous neurons firing with new brain input that relates tosomething already in your brain.)

4. Initial changes are just temporary (until we do it over and over again.)

5. Brain Plasticity is a two-way street (There is negative plasticity too that must be avoided).

6. Memory is crucial for learning

7. Motivation is a key factor in brain plasticity.

As older people gain new skills this causes the brain to grow. Actually as we grow mentally, our brains become younger. So the question, "Can an older person have a young brain?" is answered YES. (Kind of like being Born Again - I guess.)

Then they gave 5 Tips for Optimal Plasticity

1. You heart must be in decent shape

2. Training should be incremental (start just below where you are.)

3. Training needs to be taxing and systematically improving.

4. It should be interesting in order to engage the motivationa circucits in your brain. (That is do something that is different for you.)

5. Plasticity can be tapped in normal everyday activities. (Use former skills, always see to acquire new abilities.)

The weather cooperated and so Bonz had two long walks yesterday. He's doing very well, calmed down a good bit and even walks into his crate on his own when we're about to leave the house. Two friends in Jersey had given us a fax machine when we left there. I figured out how to send faxes with it, but not receive them. Yesterday I had to learn to receive faxes as our dentist wanted the x-rays taken in Jersey. The Jersey dentist needed a signed statement that it was okay to send them. She wanted to fax us the form... after three tries, I figured it out. Whew!

Dee had noticed an ad in the paper for a local hotel for free St. Patrick's Day corn beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots so we went. We saw some folks drinking green beer of all things. They even had a bagpipe group come in and play various songs including "Amazing Grace." It was an enjoyble time, the food was good, and the pipers raised some money for the hospitals that offer free care to children who are burn victims. We had a great time.