There’s mounting evidence that we could outrun the odds of Alzheimer’s, Dementia and any one of those other awful brain debilitating conditions by making certain shifts in our lives. And though I can hear my brother dispute this (the poor guy’s got Parkinson’s), experts are coming on board saying that exercising brain muscles could play a major role in keeping it sharp.
Many of us know people who have been inflicted with Dementia. And if you know of anyone who has been impacted with Dementia, Alzheimer’s or any other brain crippling conditions, you know what I am talking about here.
It would make sense that medicine would come up with cures to eradicate these conditions. But I wonder as treatment is big business. Treating senior citizens, in general, is a huge money maker. Toss in the costs for administering special care for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients and you’ll understand why the Marriott Corp. has jumped on board by opening those quaint little Courtyard inns getting us Baby Boomers conditioned for the future.
So what is there for us to do? Plenty.
For starters, get rid of those crazy’s who chomp away at your time. As Phyllis Diller said, make it a point to surround yourself only with people who are positive and add value. If that’s a challenge for you to do, then find another way to release their energy field when they lay their garbage on you. (We’ll discuss “energy fields” and stuff like that in our next article.)
But for really strengthening the brain, it must be exercised. Just like a training session at a gym, the brain has a muscle that needs to be pumped or it will fall flat and flabby. And one way to counter the negative effect of brain-atrophy is by taking a few minutes a day to stimulate the brain muscle. And there’s a fun way to do just that when playing a stimulating game of Sudoku.
So how does your day start?
A walk at the lake, a jog at the park, maybe an aerobic exercise class. Well if you add this, you’ll get a brain workout in too.
Studies clearly suggest that people who keep themselves engaged in intellectually challenging activities – for me, that’s playing a Sudoku puzzle — greatly lowers their risk of being impacted with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other forms of debilitating brain conditions.
With the brain, as with any muscle, as the saying goes, use it or lose it!
Now if you haven’t heard of Sudoku, it’s a game of wits. Sort of like a crossword puzzle, but with numbers. Logic is your main ingredient. The challenge comes in by determining which numbers go where. Sounds simple. But not so fast!
There’s a rhyme and reason to everything, including Sudoku, and each number can only be placed once in certain areas and that, my friend, is where the challenge comes in. It’s tricky, but an excitement as you wind down and draw to conclusion.
What I love most about Sudoku is that unlike backgammon, chess or checkers, you can do it alone, you don’t need a partner. So if you’re not in the mood to make small talk, or if your hair is still in rollers, you can still get a good brain workout sitting right there at your kitchen table. And should you want to interact with family and friends, which is how I often solve Sudoku (two brains are better than one!) just pull up extra chairs and have a family go at it.
All the while you’re exercising your brain without even knowing it.
Imagine potentially beating the odds of Alzheimer’s, Dementia by just adding a natural brain stimulant to your day… and have some fun doing so!
Learning how to play Sudoku changed my life. All I know is, that in my twilight years, I’ll be looking for you on the tennis courts… and not in a home!
By Nikki Morano
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