The other day, I was reading about a new supplement named 'StayIn' (stay in), introduced by the israeli startup company Biomind and meant to boost cognitive function. It is made up of seven ingredients among them vitamin B6, vitamin B12, karnitin, rhodiola.
As a retired, third age person, in fear of cognitive decline associated with the aging process (memory loss, dementia), it caught my attention.
So far, all I did was to look for mind stimulating activities.
I don't mean all those 'word and mind games' (sudoku, crosswords, puzzles, etc..). I personally prefer practicalities that help me in my every day life - like learning to fix things in the house or with the computer. In this way, I also don't get dependent on others.
Luckily, there are written guides as well as online videos that can teach us things, and do wonders to our mental skills.
Among some of the more known ways of improving cognitive ability are : learning a foreign language, learning to play a musical instrument, memorizing texts/ poems, focusing on specific activities that are supposed to contribute to our health (meditation, yoga).
(Reading fiction and watching TV are activities that mostly entertain me and /or help me escape daily worries, but I feel they do little to 'sharpen' my mind).
Writing, as opposed to reading is a more efficient form of stimulating the brain, especially writing in a language that is not one's native language, and so requires more mental effort. I say this from personal experience as both Hebrew and English are not my first language.
The blog helps me 'catch two birds with one hand': writing (exposing facts and views) , and preserving my knowledge of English which is an acquired language for me.
I think you have found several good ways to keep your mind stimulated, Duta! Learning to fix things is certainly a great one and something I wouldn't have considered pursuing. Might have to change that though! I think if I was going to learn a new language, I would definitely be interested in learning Hebrew.
ReplyDeletebetty
I live by myself so learning to fix things is very important to me. Hebrew is not easy to learn. The same applies to arabic. I attempted to learn Arabic in the past. I finished the basic course, but without practicing , it 'vanished'.
DeleteCongratulations-it sounds like you have a good handle on what you need to do.
ReplyDeleteWell, it only sounds like that. Actually , things are not easy to plan and accomplish. Thanks, anyway.
DeleteYou do well with English for sure. Keeping our minds alert is a goal of every senior I know. My husband’s mother, at 90, has managed beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marie. "Keeping our mind alert is a good goal..." - well put!
DeleteAll the Best to your husband's 90 year old mother!
As a senior I also try to keep my mind alert, I find creative activities like pottery helpful - it is always a challenge to try and actually make something you have visualized.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Creative activities are helpful, and pottery is a wonderful such activity.
DeleteHowever, not everyone is creative or has talent.
Good thoughts - christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteTurning these thoughts into deeds require time, effort, willpower. Nothing comes easy in life.
DeleteI had a friend who audited college classes (no cost, but also no credit given) in order to keep her mind sharp. She always looked forward to her next class. She did not need another degree, so taking them without credit was a perfect fit for her.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was working, old age didn't seem to take control of brain functioning. It was only after retirement that memory of well known material faded and ability to deal with unknown material instantly died.
DeleteMy solutions? Like you, I would say do not watch tv (except for documentaries).; learn a foreign language, learn to play a musical instrument, play Bridge, eat fruit and cut down on alcohol.
While working, we're not aware of certain crucial things; after retirement we usually try to act as usual, flying away from the reality that old age brings with it. Until reality forces us to deal with the problems.
DeleteI think it all starts with that will of 'want to' and no telling what might be sharpened. Keeping busy is essential. And I am very glad you have this blog. All the best to your writing and creativity.
ReplyDelete"Keeping busy" is indeed the key to help solving acute problems presented by old age.
DeleteThanks for your comment! Hope you are doing well. All the best to finding that music of life to keep you looking forward to a new day.
DeleteThanks for the kind words. Yes, there are , luckily, many ways "to keep our minds thinking and our hands doing".
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful post. I don't think I hear well enough to learn a foreign language. I don't pick up on the strange sounds. Way back in the day I took Spanish in school, some French (which I hated), and even a wee bit of Chinese and German. I like Spanish, but never like the way French sounded. Chinese was very difficult and I don't remember any of it. I do some of the puzzles, but not on any regular basis. I like learning new things on the computer and felt quite proud the other day as I installed a new printer. Typically hubby would do it for me; but he was at work and I decided I should be able to do it. It probably took me longer than it would have him; but I felt really good about being able to do it. I read instructions aloud, and talked to myself the whole time, but got it done.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI can well imagine you feeling proud about installing the printer. Whenever I succeed in fixing or installing something, I feel great satisfaction. I've got no technical background, only the will and need to learn and experience things.
Yes, we need to keep our mind active and learn to be independent and not rely on others as much as we can. I too like to learn new things and do things myself. We can become dull and boring if we do keep ourselves active and not wanting to learn new things.
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree with me, Nancy.I see it on your blog how eager you are to learn and do things yourself.
DeleteHi Duta, great post and a topic that we all have to think about sooner or later!!! I find reading the word of God is also very good for the mind, it even says that it makes wise the simple and that the unfolding of the word gives light among many other verses!! You probably knew I would say that as one of the ways that I find to be a blessing to keep the mind alert!! Your conclusion about blogging is very good and I agree that it does give a discipline to our mind and it is good to encourage one another too! I would love to learn Hebrew more, do you have any recommendations? Do you teach Hebrew? Would you be interested to?! I would join your class! Keep up the good alacrity! (that word just came to me, I think it is right for you as I just checked the definition and it has to do with eagerness, fervor, readiness, willingness enthusiasm) Blessings and Shavu`a Tov! ❤️
ReplyDeleteRight. The word of God is always good for the mind and the spirit.
DeleteI don't teach Hebrew, and as for recommandations it depends on what you know so far, whether you're interested in online or physical course, whether you've got practice possibilities in the area you live, and so forth.
Blessings to you too!
Staying independent is very important to me. Keeping one's brain engaged in different tasks is important, as is social engagement. I never thought about writing as requiring more brain effort than reading, and I do agree with that! Some days I sit at my computer mulling over words and how to put them all together to mean what I want them to mean.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day.
You've summed it all up beautifully in the very first sentence of your comment: staying independent, keeping one's brain engaged, social engagement.
DeleteBlessings to you too, Lorrie!
Very clever words and advice! Thank you Dahliana.
ReplyDeleteKudos ro you for knowing another language. Sadly wish I knew more than English. Janice
ReplyDeleteAn additional language is an asset. The problem - if you don't use it, you forget it. However, nothing one learns gets completely lost. When in real need of it, you start remembering words and phrases.
DeleteImproving cognitive ability certainly becomes more and more important when we get older. I hadn't thought about writing being a cognitive stimulant, but now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense. English is my second language, I write and read in English. I also read in German (my native laguage), keep my journal in German and watch German movies. Maybe it does keep my mind and brain "alert". Learning something new is always a good way, I think.
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, languages and writing are definitely significant cognitive stimulants.
DeleteI hadn't thought of activities (apart from the usual puzzles and games) but now that I think of it, putting together IKEA furniture would qualify!
ReplyDeleteIkea is a good example. Its instructions and drawings are sometimes confusing, and it demands a bit of mental effort to assemble the furniture piece.
Deletei think that when people are busy they live longer than lazy ones'
ReplyDeleteYou may be right, Kathy. They say, being active is crucial in achieving longevity.
DeleteBoa noite Duta. Aqui no Brasil não sabemos nada sobre esse suplemento ou medicamento. Considero o Blogger uma excelente terapia. Não é fácil produzir conteúdo e principalmente sem receber nada ou um incentivo. Obrigado pela visita e carinho.
ReplyDeleteThis supplement appears to be new on the local market; probably not yet on the world market.
DeleteI totally agree with you about Blogger. It's great theraphy!
I think for me my blog is the best brain training to keep me fit ! And on top I don't even write in my mother tongue, probably you neither !
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Gattina, blogging is good for the brain. I chose to write my posts in English so that I don't lose knowledge of it. If you don't use a language, you lose it.
DeleteYes, it is good to keep your mind (and body) active. I think it is good to have an interest to occupy you, especially important when we retire or leave work.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
To have an interest to occupy you -Yes, but not to look for some full time or even part time job as before retiring. Retirement is a new stage in life.
DeleteI enjoy writing, but word retrievable sometimes is like hittinga road bump. Seeing my words published is a thrill that keeps me inspired to write more. My latest is a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul, My Wonderful, Wacky Family. In this story I was the wacky one, and the story makes me laugh out loud. We must keep our brains invigorated.
ReplyDeleteWell , Linda. You are a writer, a successful one. I'm sure writing keeps your "brains invigorated".
DeleteI agree that keeping our minds active through stimulating mental activities is a better way than through any medications, including vitamins. I have started doing more reading and it's also why I write blog post and read and comment on other blogs. Admittedly, not everything interests me all the time, but there is always the opportunity to learn something new and from a different viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Most blogs offer the opportunity to learn new things and widen our knowledge of existing ones.
DeleteNice post thank you Edward
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Edward.
Delete