Strategies To Stave Off Alzheimer's Disease

In addition to the old standbys of proper nutrition and regular exercise, two strategies for staving off Alzheimer’s - keeping the mind active and one’s time occupied – have gained wide acceptance among researchers. Most advocate a combination of mental stimulation and socialization. We begin to lose some of our mental acuity in our early forties, which is a good time to begin challenging the brain on a daily basis and cultivating new and existing relationships.

Some of the more interesting recommended mental exercises include:

• Learning a new language
• Writing with the opposite hand to become ambidextrous
• Reading a book backwards and piecing the story together
• Learning sign language

Keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells and connections. While it was once thought that we had a finite number of brain cells, neurologists have proven that we can generate new ones throughout life. Stay curious and commit to lifelong learning to keep those brain cells firing on all cylinders.

As for socialization, in addition to the obvious such as remaining active with friends and family, joining clubs, and volunteering, a few experts recommend making connections through the internet because it opens up the possibility of developing long-lasting relationships all over the world. One researcher advocates never completely retiring.