Keep Your Brain Agile and Plastic
in Six Easy Steps
Scientists used to believe that we were stuck with the brain we are born with and that mental decline was inevitable. Now, with the help of mental imaging and a slew of studies, we know that the brain is constantly changing: forming new neurons and new nervous connections with other neurons. This ability of the nerves to constantly change is called "plasticity" and it allows the brain to improve its function. According to the Keck Center neuroscientists, a center of world-renowned authorities of brain function and memory, there are many things you can do to increase brain agility. Here are some of the things they recommend:
1) EXERCISE:
Working out seems to stimulate new neuronal growth in the hippocampus: the part of the brain that deposits memories into long-term storage. Exercise also increases oxygen flow into the brain, always a good idea.
2) EAT ANTI-OXIDANT RICH FOOD:
Eating anti-oxidant rich foods such as blueberries and walnuts help combat cellular damage that may affect cognition. Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce inflammation that can harm brain cells.
3) GET REGULAR ADJUSTMENTS:
Regular chiropractic adjustments not only feel good and alleviate pain. They also stimulate the nervous system causing an increase in proprioceptive input: the signals that tell your brain where your joints are in space. This increase in proprioceptive information causes an increase overall plasticity and can increase your brain's agility.
4) SWITCH IT UP:
Challenging yourself constantly improves plasticity in the brain. If you've been sitting on the couch, get out and hike! And don't just do the same hike everyday, keep trying new routes. If you've been doing crossword puzzles, try sodoku. If you're a ballroom dancer, try swing instead. The brain forms new connections when it has to try new things. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you enjoy it enough to stay engaged. You'll get more neurotransmitter rewards from paying close attention.
5) KEEP STRESS TO A MINIMUM:
Cortisol, the hormone that is released with increased stress, can cause changes in the brain that impair memory and the ability to learn new things. Learning to calm down through meditation or yoga can help.
6) TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES:
There's evidence that walking on uneven surfaces creates new nervous pathways and helps your brain keep you upright and oriented in space. All of my patients here know that training on a balance pad or a vibration platform not only helps with new nervous connections but it also helps with decreasing pain and improving posture.
Having an active relationship with the world around you is essential to keeping your brain engaged! Get out and enjoy the world on a daily basis and you will be able to maintain brain health much longer.
If you would like more information on how to keep your brain function at optimal levels, please call us for an appointment at 510.654.2207.
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