Live your life to the max

When was the last time you ‘let loose’ and let life take you on a journey? Some people’s brains cope better with ageing because of the experiences they have over a lifetime, international professor, Yaakov Stern, of Columbia University in New York, claims.

While Professor Stern acknowledges there is no “magic recipe” to protecting the brain from the effects of ageing, he believes everyday experiences can play a “huge role” in reducing a person’s chance of developing cognitive diseases, such as dementia.

“The epidemiology suggests people who have greater educational attainment, higher occupational attainment, engage in more leisure activities, perhaps exercise more or engage in more physical activity seem to do better in the ageing process,” he tells AAP.

Professor Stern says keeping the brain active does not require buying expensive computer programs or dozens of Sudoku books; rather, gardening, getting together with friends and walking are simple things which could help.

“It can be anything… it doesn’t have to be the most exciting thing,” he says.

Reviewing the effects of life experiences on the brain using brain imaging studies, Professor Stern maintains life experiences appear to help the brain maintain its function.

His numerous brain studies have shown the brain can allegedly remain “plastic” well into old age and it is still possible to grow new brain cells in later life.

Although exercise, life experiences and education are seen to reportedly have positive effects on the brain, Professor Stern says prevention is not guaranteed.

“Engaging in these activities is good for you,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean you are not going to get Alzheimer’s… it means you have a lower probability.”

How have your life experiences shaped the person you are today? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.

When was the last time you ‘let loose’ and let life take you on a journey? Some people’s brains cope better with ageing because of the experiences they have over a lifetime, international professor, Yaakov Stern, of Columbia University in New York, claims.

While Professor Stern acknowledges there is no “magic recipe” to protecting the brain from the effects of ageing, he believes everyday experiences can play a “huge role” in reducing a person’s chance of developing cognitive diseases, such as dementia.

“The epidemiology suggests people who have greater educational attainment, higher occupational attainment, engage in more leisure activities, perhaps exercise more or engage in more physical activity seem to do better in the ageing process,” he tells AAP.

Professor Stern says keeping the brain active does not require buying expensive computer programs or dozens of Sudoku books; rather, gardening, getting together with friends and walking are simple things which could help.

“It can be anything… it doesn’t have to be the most exciting thing,” he says.

Reviewing the effects of life experiences on the brain using brain imaging studies, Professor Stern maintains life experiences appear to help the brain maintain its function.

His numerous brain studies have shown the brain can allegedly remain “plastic” well into old age and it is still possible to grow new brain cells in later life.

Although exercise, life experiences and education are seen to reportedly have positive effects on the brain, Professor Stern says prevention is not guaranteed.

“Engaging in these activities is good for you,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean you are not going to get Alzheimer’s… it means you have a lower probability.”

How have your life experiences shaped the person you are today? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.