| The LA Times just completed a wonderful | | | | is precisely to learn and to adapt to |
| 4-part series on how learning and memory | | | | challenging new environments. Once new |
| work. The NYT re-emphasized the | | | | neurons appear in your brain, where they |
| importance of physical exercise for | | | | stay in your brain and how long they |
| neurogenesis (the creation of new | | | | survive depends on how you use them. |
| neurons). To put this news in better | | | | "Use It or Lose It" does not mean "do |
| perspective, let's review some good | | | | crossword puzzle number 1,234,567". It |
| lifestyle habits we can follow to | | | | means, "challenge your brain often with |
| maintain, and improve, our vibrant | | | | fundamentally new activities". |
| brains: | | | | 6- We are (as far as we know) the only |
| 1- Learn what is the "It" in "Use It or | | | | self-directed organisms in this planet. |
| Lose It". A basic understanding will | | | | Aim high, listen to inspiring |
| serve you well to appreciate your | | | | commencement speeches. Once you graduate |
| brain's beauty as a living and | | | | from college, keep learning. The brain |
| constantly-developing dense forest with | | | | keeps developing, no matter your age, |
| billions of neurons and synapses, full | | | | and it reflects what you do with it. |
| of what Marian Diamond calls the magic | | | | 7- Explore, travel. Adapting to new |
| trees of the mind. Devote time to | | | | locations forces you to pay more |
| practicing mentally stimulating habits. | | | | attention to your environment. Make new |
| 2- Take care of your nutrition. Did you | | | | decisions, use your brain. |
| know that the brain only weights 2% of | | | | 8- Don't Outsource Your Brain. Not to |
| body mass but consumes over 20% of the | | | | media personalities, not to politicians, |
| oxygen and nutrients we intake? As a | | | | not to your smart neighbour... Make your |
| general rule, you don't need expensive | | | | own decisions, and mistakes. And learn |
| ultra-sophisticated nutritional | | | | from them. That way, you are training |
| supplements, just make sure you don't | | | | your brain, not your neighbour's. |
| stuff yourself with the "bad stuff". | | | | 9- Develop and maintain stimulating |
| 3- Remember that the brain is part of | | | | friendships. We are "social animals", |
| the body. Things that exercise your body | | | | and need social interaction. Which, by |
| can also help sharpen your brain: | | | | the way, is why 'Baby Einstein' has been |
| physical exercise enhances neurogenesis. | | | | shown not to be the panacea for children |
| 4- Practice positive, future-oriented | | | | development. |
| thoughts until they become your default | | | | 10- Laugh. Often. Especially to |
| mindset and you look forward to every | | | | cognitively complex humor, full of |
| new day in a constructive way. Stress | | | | twists and surprises. Better, try to |
| and anxiety, no matter whether induced | | | | become the next John Stewart. |
| by external events or by your own | | | | Now, remember that what counts is not |
| thoughts, actually kills neurons and | | | | reading this article-or any other-, but |
| prevent the creation of new ones. You | | | | practicing a bit every day until small |
| can think of chronic stress as the | | | | steps snowball into unstoppable, |
| opposite of exercise: it prevents the | | | | internalized habits...so, pick your next |
| creation of new neurons. | | | | battle and try to start improving at |
| 5- Thrive on Learning and Mental | | | | least one of these 10 habits today! |
| Challenges. The point of having a brain | | | | |