YOUR 2024 BRAIN BRAWN MINI RESOLUTION: A MONTH OF MICRO RESOLUTIONS • WEEK 3

This Week's Micro Resolution: Lifelong Learning

 
Happy Monday! This week, we're asking you to challenge yourself to rewire your brain by learning something new.

As a reminder, our micro resolutions for the month of August are:
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Week 1: Music and Art Therapy (Click to view)

Week 2: Social Engagement (Click to view)

Week 3: Learn Something New (This week!)

Week 4: Hearing Loss (week of 8/26)

​Stimulate Your Mind

When you laced your shoes this morning, did you think about it? When you cracked an egg this morning, did you bring awareness to it? How about when you zipped your jacket? Buttoned your shirt? Or how about when you put the car in reverse and pulled out of the driveway? Your answer is likely, no. You just did it because you know how and the act of doing it has become second nature, muscle memory. These are some examples of tasks in which we run on autopilot.

Can you think back to how challenging it was to learn these day-to-day activities? Maybe you even recall your own child or are now witnessing a grandchild learning something new every day! 

When we learn, the brain rewires itself. At the chemical, cellular and structural level this stimulation causes brain remodeling. The same would happen if there was an injury, such as a stroke. We have discussed this process before—called brain plasticity.

When we are young and everything is new, plasticity is high! Brain plasticity diminishes with advancing age because of that “autopilot” nature in which we complete everyday tasks. At some point you just know stuff and less is new to your brain.

There was a time when it was believed that brain plasticity wasn’t possible after a certain age but, now, thanks to the work of Dr. Marion Diamond, we know that is not true. The brain can be rewired in adulthood—it just requires that stimulation of learning something new and something sufficiently difficult for the learner.

What are some science-backed ideas to try? 

Learn a new language. Today, this doesn’t have to take place in a classroom setting. Although, after reading last week’s edition on social isolation, you may feel a group setting is a good option for you. Others include online courses, such as Rosetta Stone and some phone apps.

Learn a musical instrument or learn to create art (see our content from our "enjoy the arts" micro resolution).

Learn a new type of exercise. Not only will you gain the brain benefits of exercise, but learning a new type of exercise requires thinking about what you are doing, how you are doing it and spatial awareness—much like how lacing a sneaker once required thinking. Anything that particularly requires you to think about the placement of the right and left sides of the body is advantageous. A great example of a low-impact challenging new exercise on the market is the flow rope. This requires an investment in the rope, but the internet is full of videos to help you learn the basics and progress your flow.

Travel! A new, enriched environment also enhances brain plasticity. (Next week we’ll explore this idea further when by addressing getting outdoors in nature as an enriched environment for the brain.)

Brainstorm. Is there anything else you always wanted to learn but never did? Like how to change the oil in your car? Bake a soufflé? Build a train set? If it challenges you, it grows you! 

Consider your own “Eat Pray Love” journey. If you’re able to, consider investing a year learning a country’s art, architecture and history. Learn the language and then go there for the in-person experience. Make it a project with a goal in mind. Do this with a group of friends and you have leveled up the experience!

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​How about brain games?

The topic of lifelong learning would not be complete without addressing “Brain Games.” There is a plethora of options out there: from the basic crossword puzzle to mahjong to some fancy video games specifically designed to stall cognitive decline. There is also a significant debate in the scientific community about whether these games really work or are a gimmick. We have waded through the studies and have not come out on either side with a firm recommendation, except to say living a cognitively active lifestyle is a good idea.

If you enjoy crossword puzzles and Sudoku, keep it up! If you and your friends enjoy a weekly game of cards, keep it up. If you have disposable income and are curious about computer brain games, such as Luminosity, explore! Unfortunately, no, watching Jeopardy does not count! In fact, watching TV for 3.5 hours or more a day is associated with cognitive decline. 

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

THIS WEEK'S MICRO RESOLUTION: LIFELONG LEARNING!

Learn something new! Use the log to track your weekly micro resolution as well as to continue to log your exercise, sleep, sugar, water and fruit and veggie goals!

Click to view and download the log.