The Brain – Use it or Lose it By Karen C. Jacobson, ADC Fellowship Square Mesa
[email protected]
Believe it or Not! i cdnuolt blveiee that I clluod aulacity uesdnatnrd walht I was rdanieg. The phaonmeneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabridge Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
Brain Facts • • • • • • • •
Weight at birth – 4-5 lbs, as adults – 3 lbs Total surface area of cerebral cortex 2.69 sq ft 100 billion neurons in brain – same as stars in galaxy 750-1,000 ml (3 cans soda) of blood flow through brain every minute Information travels between neurons at 260 mph Energy used by brain can light a 25 watt light bulb On an average day, brain produces 70,000 thoughts Without oxygen, cells die after 4-6 minutes
Left Brain Literal Linear Analytical Evaluative Objective Verbal Speech and language
Right Brain Controls the left side Creative Imaginative Visual Artistic Subjective Non-verbal Spiritual and holistic
Evolution of Consciousness • RELAXED HEMISPHERE- “alpha” waves • ACTIVE HEMISPHERE- “beta” waves • During mathematical and logical reasoning- An increase in “alpha” in the right and an increase in “beta” in the left. • During meditation and visualization- An increase in “alpha” in the left hemisphere and an increase in “beta” in the right
Avoid Brain “Overload” •Give the left brain something to do ( ie. Walk, take a ride or clean something) •Learn to say “NO” •Avoid the hot-button topics- Religion/politics •Be more assertive- Tackle problems head-on •Forgive and share your feelings •Pamper yourself when possible (ie.massage) •Develop a priority calendar
The Aging Brain Forgetfulness
Not feeling sharp Difficulty learning new
things Unable to concentrate Slow to process Others?
The Secret to an Anti-Aging Brain
Activate Your Brain “ An active brain is a healthy brain, while inaction leads to reduced brain fitness.” Lawrence C Katz, Ph.D.
Neurobics – Brain Exercises
How Neurobics Works
• Involve one or more of your senses in a novel context • Engage your attention • Break a routine activity in an unexpected, nontrivial way.
Neurobic Exercises • Brush teeth with non-dominant hand • Close eyes while taking shower or washing your hands • Take a trip without knowing the destination • Drive or walk a different route to work • Sort and count coins with eyes closed • Experiment with aromas and music during bath time • Read aloud to yourself
Reading Aloud – A Tongue Twister
A Tudor who tooted a flute tried to tutor two tooters to toot. Said the two to their tutor, “Is it harder to toot or to tutor two tooters to toot?”
Neurobic Warm-ups • • • • • • • • •
Breathing from diaphragm Learning New Names Counting Alphabet Names by type Word Flow Upside down reading Imagining Creative Writing
Word Association Exercise Task: Illustrate an article about vacations in Alaska Vacations Camping Beach Cruise ship Camera Sunglasses Suitcases Cars,trains,planes Relaxing, Swimming (pools) Eating Sleeping Reading Drinks
Alaska Cold Ice Polar bears Eagle Bears Salmon Eskimos Oil wells Wilderness Snow Hunting Fishing Dog sleds
Stroop Test Red
Blue
Red
Yellow
Green
Green Green Blue Red Green Green Blue Red Blue
Red Blue Yellow Blue Yellow Yellow Green Green Blue
Green Green Yellow Red Blue Red Yellow Yellow Red
Yellow Yellow Blue Yellow Red Green Red Yellow Yellow
Blue Red Green Green Red Blue Blue Blue Green
Games • Online - luminosity.com 123opticalillusions.com , rhymezone.com, dakengames.com, + many • Word – Scrabble, Guggenheim, Bananagram • Board – Chess, Monopoly, Checkers, etc. • Card – Bridge, poker, 500, cribbage, etc. • Puzzles – Geometric, Jigsaw, Riddles, Story Problems
Physical Exercise • Tai Chi • Yoga • Dance • Aerobic - swimming, walking fast, riding bicycle
Healthy Foods • Blueberries • Salmon • Flax seeds • Coffee • Mixed nuts
• Avocados • Eggs • Whole Grains • Chocolate • Broccoli
Classical Music • Mozart • Bach • Vivaldi
Sleep •Quiet •Peaceful •Undisturbed
Socialization • Connect to family • Connect to friends • Connect to community • Connect to PEOPLE
Spirituality •Prayer •Meditation •Bible Study •Religious Gatherings
Brainy Quotes
• “If you think old, you are old.” • “You don’t grow old, you become old by not growing.” • “Minds are like parachutes, they work best when they are open.” • “Aging is a process of growth, not of decline.”
Resources Keep Your Brain Alive by Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D. &
Manning Rubin Train Your Brain – 60 Days to a Better Brain by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima Aerobics of the Mind by Marge Engelman The Aging Brain by Edward Gray Boost Your Brain Power by Ellen Michaud, Russell Wild
