Getting older does mean slowly breaking down in ways large and small. Common among these failings are such things as memory and concentration. For some, cognitive problems become so severe that they can no longer work and need to apply for Social Security disability. But, this is always a last resort. Staying mentally sharp and working until retirement age should always be the goal. But, how to achieve that?
Guess What Works? Yes, It’s Exercise
No real surprise here: the answer involves staying active and exercising. A story in the New York Times highlighted some recent research. Doctors at Rutgers University set out to compare the brains of older African-Americans who exercised from those who did not. The results are intriguing. Essentially, the brains of the exercising seniors started to resemble those of much younger people. In particular, the active senior’s brains showed an enhanced ability to use different parts of the brain for such things as encoding and recalling memories. It was not just being better at remembering. Those who exercised also were better at learning, retaining, and applying new information.
Keep Moving
So, if you want to keep your mind sharp and youthful as you age, get moving.
