REJECTING THE MYTHS OF AGING - PT. IV

I must admit, I read this book for my own benefit, since I found myself holding on to some deeply ingrained beliefs about aging that, according to the author, are no longer valid.

Having read the book, I will continue to post the most challenging of the authors insights. My hope is that all adults will consider the ideas in this book, and the 60, 70, even 80 somethings will be informed and motivated as we move into what could be the most productive season of our lives. Here are insights and reflections from "Shattering the Myth Of The Shrinking Brain".

"The brain is designed to function for a lifetime. The idea that age automatically brings decline in mental ability - that if you live long enough the brain breaks down and senility is inevitable, a fate escaped only by a few lucky ones - is a myth. Yet it is one of the most prevalent and generally accepted myths in our society. Pioneers in the field of aging are beginning to shatter this pervasive belief.

Current research is showing that the brain is much more plastic and fluid than was previously thought. Flexibility - that is, trying new ways of doing things - is the prime predictor of mental vivacity in later years according to Schale. Rigid adherence to routine and low satisfaction with life are associated with earlier deterioration of the intellect. Schale reports that those who are flexible at mid life tend to experience less decline in psychological competence with advancing age than those fairly rigid at this life stage. His findings cast at least some doubt on the inevitability of general intellectual decline for all individuals. 

The brain works a lot like a muscle, the more you use it, the better it works. Scientists in the past believed that the brain circuitry was hard wired by adolescence and inflexible in adulthood. However, the ability of the brain to change and adapt is apparently with us well into old age. People who slow down after retirement may speed up their move toward the grave, according to Schaie, who has been involved in research on adults and their mental performance. He strongly encourages older patients to take on intellectual challenges, and reported seeing adults in mental decline begin to regain abilities with the advent of mental stimulation. He stresses that intellectual decline in old age is not necessarily irreversible. 

Much research has shown that the most important predictors of vital age are satisfying work and complexity of purpose. Below is a checklist of suggestions for keeping the mind and memory sharp for a lifetime." 

1.  Use it. Stretch your brain, keep learning and thinking to build your brain circuitry, most researchers support the common sense notion of "use it or lose it". 
2. Know and achieve your major life goals. 
3. Focus on doing things that you believe make a difference in life and that provide you with a purpose.
4. Become actively involved learning something unfamiliar.
5. Work puzzles, learn a musical instrument, fix something.
6. Try the arts.
7. Exercise. A strong relationship exists between exercise and blood flow to the brain.
8. Meet and interact with intelligent, provocative, interesting people.
9. Seek variety and a broad range of experience.
10. Be flexible, improvise, and try new things and new ways.
11. Find peace. Be kind to yourself. Shake off negative attitudes, depression, anxiety, anger and discontent.
12. Take courses that you enjoy, but don't cram.
13. Develop expertise using high levels of thought.
14. Make friends. 
15. Avoid burnout."

These are really good! But based on the last suggestion, I have decided to post the remaining 15 suggestions in a future post. 

To view Part I of this book review click HERE. 
To view Part II of this book review click HERE. 
To view Part III of this book review click HERE.