Keep Your Brain in Good Shape

How to Keep Your Brain in Good Shape:

Lifestyle habits can have a significant influence upon brain functions such as memory, learning, judgment, and mental acuity. Firstly, it is important to manage stress since chronic stress can negatively affect memory. Under stress it is harder to remember things and to create memory files for new information.

Getting sufficient sleep is important to maintain cognitive function. A regular loss of 1-2 hours of sleep a night can impair brain function. Other factors which can cause memory problems are depression, use of certain prescription drugs, dealing with chronic pain, and a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the elderly.

Elevated blood pressure during mid-life can result in a loss of cognitive function in later life. Furthermore, people with elevated blood glucose levels usually perform below par on tests of short-term memory.

Those who keep mentally active throughout life, reading good books, keeping abreast of current events, and being engaged in hobbies are 4 times less likely to end up with Alzheimer’s disease. Being socially engaged also provides mental stimulation.

Having meaningful relationships with others, sharing ideas and plans with dear friends, keeps the mind occupied in a meaningful way.
Regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, is a sure way to improve blood flow to the brain and enhance memory. People who exercise daily are also better able to multi-task. Adding blueberries and purple grape juice to your diet can also improve short-term memory in aging neurons.

Step One
Talk to your friends or co-workers about any technological concerns you may have. Even if you're not very technologically savvy, you probably know someone who is.

Step Two
Keep an eye out for television news reports and specials about new advancements in various technolgical fields. Such programs usually present information on a fairly basic level.

Step Three
Visit a local newsstand or bookstore and browse through various technology magazines and books. There are many publications available that deal with a variety of subjects on many different levels. Consider subscribing to any magazines that strike you as particularly useful or helpful.

Step Four
Look through the science and technology section of your local newspaper regularly. Many newspapers have regular technology features now.


Step Five
Look through electronics and computer catalogs to see what kind of new features and products are being developed and offered.


Step Six
Visit local electronics stores and ask customer service or sales representatives any questions you have.


Step Seven
Visit local trade expos to see the latest technological advancements in a particular market. If you attend an expo, it's best to take someone with you already who knows something about the field that's being represented. Ask questions of the booth representatives; they love to talk!