Teach an old dog new tricks
"You can’t teach an old dog new tricks." How many of us have heard this expression? Yes admittedly some people may reinforce this misconception with their behaviour and hence the reason for its creation. Why they chose a dog for the expression is unknown and why give this post such a title is an even better question. Newsflash;- just because you may be aging there is no need to resign yourself to senility. Keeping a mind with sponge rather then sieve like properties is quite easily managed and may begin within the walls of your home. You may even find that you increase intelligence. Take your muscles as an example of what exercising can achieve. A few months at the gym or your preferred activity will result in marked improvements (provided you don’t drop the barbell on self). A similar principle applies to the brain if you choose to begin using it in different ways. What’s even better is the brain is infinitely more responsive to a work-out then ‘let’s say’ your biceps. Initially there may be resistence to new information uptake as the brain may have a little spasm in an attempt to fight you when you feed it new knowledge and/or experiences. Remember it may have been sitting there for many years quite comfortably enjoying its holiday hence the initial standoff. Once that hurdle is overcome your brain will begin to thank you and to its surprise will enjoy further challenges ahead. There’s a snippet I recall from a while back involving two lumberjacks and rather then enter into the dialogue a brief summary is that the older lumberjack who rested reguarly through the day was confronted by the younger lumberjack who did not stop the entire day and was asked by his younger counterpart "how can you possibly have chopped more wood then me when you were resting for most of the day?". To which the older lumber jack replied "I wasn’t resting, I was sharpening my axe" (or something along those lines). You see by sharpening whatever tools you use whether it be an axe, your body or mind the tool becomes more effective (this preamble probably unecessary). Some tips to help sharpen your brain.
- Read for at least half an hour everyday.
- Have dinner with different people.
- Challenge self with puzzle games (Chess, crosswords, sudoku, etc.)
- Grab an easel and some canvas and have a go at painting.
- Try cooking something other then your known recipes.
- Play an imaginary game with your children (eg. pirates, jungle explorer, etc.)
- If you don’t have children then have your friends over and try your hand at pictionary or better yet ‘twister’.
- Begin a new sport utilising kinesthetic intelligence.
- Learn a different language.
The list above is small but trying some of the activities mentioned will help keep the brain active, healthy and sharp.
