by Jane Tornatore | Mar 15, 2011 | Dr. Jane's Brain Health Tips |
In case you missed it…
This study was all over the news in February and the findings are significant: Exercise increases the size of the hippocampus and improves memory.
Those of you who have heard my brain health talk know the importance of exercise on brain health. This study is the first I’ve seen that actually measures a benefit directly related to brain size in an area of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
The results are this—in a study on sedentary men and women with an average age of 60, the authors found those who did aerobic exercise had an average increase in hippocampal volume of 2%. Those who did less aerobic exercise, had a decline of hippocampal volume of about 1.4%. (If you want to see more details about the study, read “For Research Geeks” below.)
Oh, an added benefit… both groups had an increase in spatial memory, though the walkers improved more.
The hippocampus is an important part of the brain involved in forming memories. It begins to atrophy around the age of 55. It is also one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s.
I don’t know about you, but if I know that something will help a part of my brain that is really important in helping me remember things, and it is one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s, I’d do it.
Excuse me, I’m off for my brisk walk in the park…
For you research geeks, here is the study info:
“Exercise Training Increases Size of Hippcampus and Improves Memory”
by Erickson, et al., published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1/31/11
• Number of participants—120, divided into 2 groups
• Age range—55-80
• Study period—1 year
• Type of exercise the 2 groups did
o 1st group—walked briskly around a track 3 times a week, building up to 40 minutes a time
o 2nd group—stretching and toning exercises, including yoga and resistance training with bands
by Jane Tornatore | Mar 13, 2011 | Musings |
I once had a boyfriend who told me “I’m happy, but I’m not content in this relationship.”
Huh? “Isn’t happy better than content?” I asked him. I forget what he said, but I didn’t understand it. We broke up. (Not, in case you are wondering, just because of that comment.)
Today, I finally got it. I’d had one of those days with both highs and lows in it. I realized I was content with the day. To me, “content” stems from an internal sense of balance. Whatever the world throws at me, I get to choose how to respond. “Happy” seems to be more externally or situationally driven. It can be more fleeting, depending on what is happening in my life.
Then it hit me…I’d rather be content than happy. I finally understand.
Thank you, Darrick, for planting that seed all those years ago.
by Jane Tornatore | Mar 10, 2011 | Musings |
The more tightly I try to hold onto something I believe is mine, the more fragile my possession becomes.
by Jane Tornatore | Mar 9, 2011 | Musings |
Yep, my curling iron.
I recently bought a curling iron. I think the last time I used one was in college. I will spare you the details of how I made this momentous decision.
This morning, as I was happily transforming my hair from flat and slightly annoying to bouncy and fun, I realized that I was creating beauty through damaging my hair. I reflected on other ways we become more beautiful as a result of damage or pain. There are many.
Have you heard of the term “the wounded healer?” It basically refers to the wounds that are created through life, that later become the pathway to helping others heal from similar hurts.
Ask any good therapist about this.
I had a friend in grad school, Diane, who had a daughter with Cerebral Palsy. Diane declared she would not change her daughter even if she could. I must admit, I was surprised and asked her why. She told me her daughter had taught Diane and her family what was important and beautiful in life. A wounded healer.
There are others who lose a limb, or their vision, or some other precious thing, who end up living life more fully as a result. Think of the campaigns to end drunk driving, or find lost children, or raise money for cancer, that were started by people who faced painful losses. Most of us will not face losses so momentous, or create such wide-ranging works of goodness.
However, we each face our own hurts in life, small and large. It is our choice of whether to take the pain and use it to make us stronger and more beautiful. I know it helps me, when I am faced with a setback or a failure, to figure out how I can use the situation to become wiser, or something…anything to keep me from feeling sorry for myself. It helps me to live with less regret.
Geez, I wonder what thoughts I’d have if I had bought electric curlers instead…
by Jane Tornatore | Mar 6, 2011 | Musings |
In the past month, I learned that two people I greatly respect but don’t know very well, are moving out of town. Both of them I have wanted to get to know better, but I put off doing anything about it until I had more time.
Time’s up.
I am very good at putting things off. I was in graduate school for ten years. I honed putting things off until I had more time, more money, I graduated, etc., into a fine art. “Delayed gratification” became my middle name.
I have made great strides in breaking that pattern. The paperwork on my desk attests to that.
And two fine people moving out of town before I get a chance to know them, makes me realize I have some more striding to do.
I remember years ago when I was taking off in an airplane I thought “If I died today, what would I regret not doing?” It was getting in touch with a friend with whom I’d lost contact. That surprised me; I thought it would be about countries I hadn’t visited, or not having children, or something else really big. Calling an old friend is easy.
You can bet your boots I called her when I got home. (This was before cell phones became common.)
I invite you, dear reader, to look at where in your life you put things off that could enrich your life. They might be simpler than you think.
