Long-term brain studies suggest that cognitive decline is not simply a matter of age—but of accumulated daily behaviors that quietly shape how the brain stays flexible, adaptive, and alive.
That's very interesting. I have this creative mind that is always trying new ideas, using my imagination to create things I'd like to do. I am currently studying Italian after a year of Spanish. I have had to find creative ways to survive on a low fixed income
Maybe all of this mental processing has been good for me.
Having a creative mind allows one to create a hologram of themselves outside their body that is free to explore while the body remains leashed to reality.
I've always kind of felt I was doing two realities at once. I could have a conversation in my mind, and when I next talked to that person I had that exact conversation. I would have a dream and the next day it would happen. I'd see solutions to problems that seemed absurd...but worked. I have joked that I am multi dimensional. But, I never wanted to be a "one hole rat". I was always looking for options.
My friends all believe I am Systems thinker as I’m curious about so many things and am constantly learning new things in many different areas where I bring knowledge from one discipline into others. Does that fit under your umbrella of being multi dimensional?
I used to make my father-in-law nuts because I’d drive a different way to or from a destination than he would’ve gone. I used to say, “If you go the way you’ve always gone, you’ll see the things you’ve always seen.”
Grumpy silence ensued. I’d point out stuff along the way. He’d nod and probably wonder what his daughter saw in me. 🤣👍🏼
When I do t’ai chi I often wonder why the others are all doing the same thing. And why there’s a bit of a gap around me. See also: Improv of helicopter landing with bent blade.
Adaptation, a key component to the aging of the body when aging. For example, during the aging process most people slow down the movement of their bodies. Making less demands on the body results in muscle atrophy, loss of speed, and limited range of muscle movement. Often resulting in loss of mobility. The price we pay with our bodies by adapting.
Our minds also will experience a similar pattern of adaptation if we fail to discontinue making mental demands. Atrophy occurs.
I’m in my middle 70’s and I read for several hours daily. I no longer have a gym membership, but for the last six years I make a daily effort to incorporate physical activity in my life as well.
I don’t watch local or network television, just Netflix movies in the evening, of which most are foreign movies. Less violence, and writing that stretches the imagination.
By no means am I an expert. I just believe that aging is a process that impacts all of us differently. Lifestyle is probably the most essential factor that supports mental and physical health when it comes to high quality longevity. Nutrition, adequate sleep, daily movement, avoidance of environmental toxins, etc.
I never claimed to have any training in physiology, medicine, or science. I gave you my personal opinion, based on my experience, and my belief s. That's all. You can receive that as a lie if you wish. That's your personal right.
Anyone with any education, training, &/or experience in physiology would know better. What you say is not only a lie, it shames ppl experiencing the natural process of aging.
My business is helping people create and manage their pictures in Apple Photos. There are two mindsets in the audience - those who are curious and excited about the annual updates in the user experience and those who complain about the changes. Your article puts an interesting spin on that dynamic and makes me think about ways to make the process more engaging for the resistant folks.
In a way. I have also had things happen that were totally unexplainable in this plane of existence. Made me wonder if I was losing my mind. Now, I know I just had awarenesses most people don't have.
The people in my family who mainly just watched TV after they retired tended to get dementia. The ones who stayed more active and continued to make things and do stuff not so much. So I'm annoyingly active, but so far it's paid off.
I started playing piano at 32, cello at 65, and Spanish at 65. I’m fluent in Spanish and learning Catalan. I’ve been a voracious reader since childhood, learned chess at 60, and painted, knitted, and crocheted. My family has a history of Alzheimer’s. I’m a nurse and haven’t retired yet. At 71 in hopes of maintaining knowledge and engagement. I technically shouldn’t get Alzheimer’s, but time will tell!
This is my religion. At 58 I just returned to school to pursue an undergrad degree in behavioural neuroscience. I know it is an investment in my mental fitness and longevity. Thank you for sharing the science behind my intuition.
Thank you for sharing this. I have the APOE gene but just one. My mother and her mother had Alzheimer’s and I have spent my life preventing it in myself. So far so good 66 years old and not a trace. I do all that you suggested in your article which I appreciate as confirmation.
I'd be interested in knowing what this looks like. Do you have examples or details of how people "refuse to let the brain remain fully settled?" Most of the article is general and rather vague. Thanks.
That's very interesting. I have this creative mind that is always trying new ideas, using my imagination to create things I'd like to do. I am currently studying Italian after a year of Spanish. I have had to find creative ways to survive on a low fixed income
Maybe all of this mental processing has been good for me.
Having a creative mind allows one to create a hologram of themselves outside their body that is free to explore while the body remains leashed to reality.
I've always kind of felt I was doing two realities at once. I could have a conversation in my mind, and when I next talked to that person I had that exact conversation. I would have a dream and the next day it would happen. I'd see solutions to problems that seemed absurd...but worked. I have joked that I am multi dimensional. But, I never wanted to be a "one hole rat". I was always looking for options.
My friends all believe I am Systems thinker as I’m curious about so many things and am constantly learning new things in many different areas where I bring knowledge from one discipline into others. Does that fit under your umbrella of being multi dimensional?
I used to make my father-in-law nuts because I’d drive a different way to or from a destination than he would’ve gone. I used to say, “If you go the way you’ve always gone, you’ll see the things you’ve always seen.”
Grumpy silence ensued. I’d point out stuff along the way. He’d nod and probably wonder what his daughter saw in me. 🤣👍🏼
I love this because it makes the idea so simple.
Sometimes “cognitive uncertainty” is just taking the long way home and actually noticing what’s there.
I do that as well. In Tai Chi I learned that, to paraphrase, variety is the spice of life.
When I do t’ai chi I often wonder why the others are all doing the same thing. And why there’s a bit of a gap around me. See also: Improv of helicopter landing with bent blade.
Adaptation, a key component to the aging of the body when aging. For example, during the aging process most people slow down the movement of their bodies. Making less demands on the body results in muscle atrophy, loss of speed, and limited range of muscle movement. Often resulting in loss of mobility. The price we pay with our bodies by adapting.
Our minds also will experience a similar pattern of adaptation if we fail to discontinue making mental demands. Atrophy occurs.
I’m in my middle 70’s and I read for several hours daily. I no longer have a gym membership, but for the last six years I make a daily effort to incorporate physical activity in my life as well.
I don’t watch local or network television, just Netflix movies in the evening, of which most are foreign movies. Less violence, and writing that stretches the imagination.
Physical as well as mental gymnastics.
Any thoughts on physiology? The limits age put on the body, despite what your brain wants??
By no means am I an expert. I just believe that aging is a process that impacts all of us differently. Lifestyle is probably the most essential factor that supports mental and physical health when it comes to high quality longevity. Nutrition, adequate sleep, daily movement, avoidance of environmental toxins, etc.
I never claimed to have any training in physiology, medicine, or science. I gave you my personal opinion, based on my experience, and my belief s. That's all. You can receive that as a lie if you wish. That's your personal right.
Anyone with any education, training, &/or experience in physiology would know better. What you say is not only a lie, it shames ppl experiencing the natural process of aging.
It sounds like people who constantly are trying to learn are exercising their brain. I like that!
My business is helping people create and manage their pictures in Apple Photos. There are two mindsets in the audience - those who are curious and excited about the annual updates in the user experience and those who complain about the changes. Your article puts an interesting spin on that dynamic and makes me think about ways to make the process more engaging for the resistant folks.
How do I get your help with 20+ years of photos? All digital, many subjects etc.
This made me think about how often I mistake routine for peace.
“Keeping the brain slightly unfamiliar” is such an interesting way to put it. It makes me want to take a different way home today.
The irony of this article using the first half to restate in 5 paragraphs what the article is going to be about is hilarious.
Brevity is an important skill to hone.
I had a similar thought and almost scrolled away. It is good info but took a while to unfold. Different writing styles will do that.
Yep .... 😁😡
In a way. I have also had things happen that were totally unexplainable in this plane of existence. Made me wonder if I was losing my mind. Now, I know I just had awarenesses most people don't have.
Use it or lose it.
Great information
The people in my family who mainly just watched TV after they retired tended to get dementia. The ones who stayed more active and continued to make things and do stuff not so much. So I'm annoyingly active, but so far it's paid off.
I started playing piano at 32, cello at 65, and Spanish at 65. I’m fluent in Spanish and learning Catalan. I’ve been a voracious reader since childhood, learned chess at 60, and painted, knitted, and crocheted. My family has a history of Alzheimer’s. I’m a nurse and haven’t retired yet. At 71 in hopes of maintaining knowledge and engagement. I technically shouldn’t get Alzheimer’s, but time will tell!
I hope “re-learning” counts as I struggle to keep up with tech changes as well as getting back in the art creating zone I once ruled💥
This is my religion. At 58 I just returned to school to pursue an undergrad degree in behavioural neuroscience. I know it is an investment in my mental fitness and longevity. Thank you for sharing the science behind my intuition.
Thank you for sharing this. I have the APOE gene but just one. My mother and her mother had Alzheimer’s and I have spent my life preventing it in myself. So far so good 66 years old and not a trace. I do all that you suggested in your article which I appreciate as confirmation.
I'd be interested in knowing what this looks like. Do you have examples or details of how people "refuse to let the brain remain fully settled?" Most of the article is general and rather vague. Thanks.
?
I am still writing and recording new songs at age 80.
I'm working with AI and I'm almost 80.