Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Ellen - I can't remember where, but I read that learning another language or learning to play an instrument has been found useful in "exercising" the brain and potentially slowing down senility. Is that true?

All the research is clear on this: Use it or lose it. And it doesn't mean you have to enroll in University and get a Ph.D. at 70 or so, or even take up a musical instrument or try to learn a new language. Puzzles and games are a great way to keep the brain healthy, especially computer games where there are sequential reasoning steps to learn. Anytime you see an inactive person, senior or not, it's time to look at the reasons for the inactivity: frequently it is alcohol use and depressive habits of thinking. We are now blessed with better healthy opportunities to live longer, but that's no good unless you practice healthy daily habits. Exercise is as good for the brain as it is to the body, and the best part is that it can be combined with social interactions that are fun. Gotta go now, I have a tennis match with my other (senior) friends!

Thanks for coming around and living up this fireside chat Ann and Patsi. Wow -- what a reminder that this is daily and it works! Ann what you read on that front is dead on and the research is compelling! Thanks for the reminder... Patsi... you are so right... in fact I am inspired to get out and golf today to run away from the work for a bit of mental fitness myself.... Wish we could share a lunch and chat more... but in the meantime thanks for your insights folks!

I am not very good at learning other languages, Ann... are you? Because I speak in so many different cultures I learned to lean on translators and that is not always best for communication.... How do you do it?

Tennis gets the dendrites popping for me too but I am not very good at the game.... Have a great match Patsi!