You have survived the 2007 shopping and eating season.
Congratulations! Now it's time to shift gears and focus on
2008...whether you write down some New Year resolutions or contemplate
some things that you want to let go of from last year and set intentions
and goals for this year - as is a friend's tradition on the winter
solstice.
To summarize the
key findings of the last 20 years of neuroscience research on how to
"exercise our brains", there are three things that we can strive for:
novelty, variety and challenge. If we do these three things, we will
build new connections in our brains, be mindful and pay attention to our
environment, improve cognitive abilities such as pattern-recognition,
and in general contribute to our lifelong brain health.
With these
three principles of brain health in mind - novelty, variety and
challenge - let me suggest a few potential New Years resolutions,
perhaps some unexpected, that will help you make 2008 a year of Brain
Health and Fitness:
1. 2008 Primaries and Elections: If you
haven't yet done so, register to vote - active participation is good for
your brain health. But, before rushing out to vote, take some time to
think through the criteria you want to set up to evaluate who deserves
your vote. Don't let politicians and their spin doctors set your agenda.
Ask yourself, what matters most to me? What type of President do I
think we need? Why? I personally find it quite intriguing that no
candidate so far is resurrecting the "It is the economy, stupid" mantra,
and proposing solid plans to get our economy back on track.
2.
Next time out shopping: Don't let advertisers treat you as if you were
Pavlov's Dog - remember the dog that was trained to salivate
automatically every time a bell rang. There is a whole industry out
there trying to make you buy stuff on impulse. Notice your reactions to a
movie trailer or a TV ad Resist. Be the true "Decider". For bonus
points, once you learn to identify and manage your own buying impulses,
try explaining this to your kids...
3. Reading habits: If you
usually read non-fiction, try something new this season. Pick up a good
fiction book. Or vice versa. For bonus points, subscribe to or simply
read a new magazine, perhaps one that your partner craves? It will help
you understand another perspective.
4. Learn about the Brain: Pick
up one of the books in the Science section in your bookstore. In the
unlikely scenario that you read as many brain-related books as I do,
pick up some Russian poetry book and let's discuss this instead.
5.
At work: Find, or create, an intellectually and socially stimulating
new job for yourself at your current workplace or a new one. Engaging
work has been shown to contribute to lifelong cognitive performance. At
the very least, go out of your way to make whatever job you have more
stimulating: try talking to a new colleague or client everyday and learn
a new thing about them. You will not remember everything, but surely
more than if you don't even try.
6. Gratitude vs. the Subprime
mess: With increasing coverage of economic woes, the subprime mess,
recession risk, the falling dollar and a ballooning deficit, it is easy
to lose perspective and become depressed. Which doesn't help anyone,
much less our brains. To put things in perspective, it pays off to
devote some time to keep a Gratitude Journal and simply scribble a few
notes a day. For bonus points: do this while you are watching TV news
and share your notes with your partner.
7. Cultivate your
Critical-thinking abilities: Ask yourself, "Where is the evidence?" at
least once a day - see points 1&2 above. Don't just believe this
article. Even if it had been endorsed by 20 Harvard Medical School
researchers and doctors, nothing substitutes your own brain in action.
And the more you practice, the more you refine your judgment.
8.
Participate in creating a better environment. Our planet, our families,
our communities, our schools, all can benefit from our help. What
project do you care enough to commit some of your time to in 2008? If
you have school age kids, have you considered joining the school board?.
9.
Computer-based programs: With the growing number of "brain training"
products, you may be thinking of giving one a try, either for you or for
a loved one. As mentioned in point number 2 above, it makes sense to do
some research before making a purchase.
10. Where to start? OK, now you have read many suggestions, resolve to keep at least one of them...which one will you choose?.
Enjoy a Happy and Fruitful 2008, for you and your loved ones!
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