It’s September.  Back to school month.  Have you signed up for a class yet?  If you answered, “Of course not; I’m out of school” consider this.  What keeps the brain functioning optimally is challenging it. We take our functional brains and thought processes for granted when we are young.  But when we start glitching or witness someone else mentally losing it, we realize our brain function is not something to take for granted. We must challenge it at every age to keep it viable.

If you are not a senior (60+), chances are you are not concerned about the health of your brain. I am a senior and I recently became aware of my brain malfunctioning. I would be talking with someone and hit a blank space. I just got emptiness where always before the word I wanted would effortlessly appear. “How annoying! What’s up with that?”  I questioned.

I did some research and learned that when we are new in life and curious about everything that presents itself to us, our brains are laying down new nerve cells (neurons) and expanding. Later in life when we get tired, weak or lazy the challenges to our brain discontinues, so it no longer lays down new neurons. The old ones begin to die off. That is when we experience glitches in thinking: can’t remember a word, forget how to do stuff, lose cognitive function.  

“You have to give your brain a workout. The more vigorous and diverse your mental life—and the more you welcome mental challenges—the more you will stimulate the growth of new neurons and new connections between them.”  Brain Games, Vol. 4, 2008

That sentence turned me around.  I suddenly became aware that I was avoiding driving at night because it was harder. I was taking surface streets instead of freeways because it was easier. I was unconsciously resisting challenges because it was uncomfortable. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I am big on prevention and living healthy. I am always on the lookout for how to improve my health and well-being. So to keep my brain healthy I decided I must stop resisting what is uncomfortable and start embracing what is hard or unfamiliar. I did a conscious mental flip!
    
I joined a class. There are so many wonderful classes offered through the colleges for seniors.  I signed up for the fall semester at Emeritus College in Santa Monica, 310-434-4306, for the sole purpose of doing something I am not good at.  After the first class, I can report I am in the right place for a challenge. I felt so inept.  Others seemed to be much better than I at this doodling assignment. Art is not my thing. I can’t draw. Doing things I am not good at is uncomfortable. But putting myself outside my comfort zone does force my brain to make new neurons and that is what keeps it healthy.

I also bought a book to challenge different parts of my brain. There is a series of workbooks called, Brain Games, Lower Your Brain Age In Minutes A Day. There are six in the collection; each book is more difficult than the preceding one. They are available on Amazon for $10 a book.

So if you are bored or just want something fun to do, start exploring your options.  There are infinite possibilities and a whole world just waiting for you to say yes. Until you return, fill your days with GIGGLES, JOY, APPRECIATION and FUN!

SylviaSilk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles,CA, USA
DoctorofDivinity, SpiritualCoach, ReconnectiveHealingPractitioner, Writer