But as we grow older we may become more concerned about our brains’ fitness, as well.  With age comes the risk of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. While these types of diseases are not always preventable, many researchers believe that keeping the brain active can help to slow the progress of these various diseases and may even be able to prevent many cases. So what can you do to exercise your brain and keep it active and healthy?

Brain Games

Brain teasers help to keep your mind active and serve as a sort of “exercise” for your brain. There are a lot of games specifically designed to keep your mind fit and healthy. These games challenge your brain and help you to keep the “quickfire” response between neurons, well… quick. As we age this reaction tends to slow down, but “practicing” with these different games may help to improve things like memory and other mental processes.

There are quite a few games that you can choose from, including one from Nintendo called “Brain Age” that supposedly judges your reaction times and gives you the “age” of your brain. With practice, many brains get “younger” as reaction times and accuracy improve. There are also a host of online games that you can avail of. And, of course, there are the all-time favorite brain teasers like Sudoku and newspaper crossword puzzles.

Staying Social

Keeping socially active can also have an impact on your brain’s health. Human interaction does wonders to keep your mind healthy and it also helps to keep away the feelings of loneliness and depression that many older people suffer from when they don’t spend time with others their age.

Friendly chats and even political or religious discussions can help you keep on your toes mentally. Many seniors fill their social lives by joining clubs or groups focused around their hobbies and interests. The internet has also made it easier to keep in touch with loved ones who have moved away and video chats with family can help to keep bonds tight and lessen feelings of seclusion.

Physical Exercise

Yes, thinking a lot isn’t the only way to exercise your gray matter. Physical exercise is also very important to brain function. Many people forget that the brain is, indeed, part of the body, so what you do to your body affects your brain. By keeping fit and eating healthy you are doing the single most important thing to keep your brain healthy.

Exercise not only keeps your body in shape, but it also boosts circulation and gets the blood pumping to your brain. Your blood carries something that your brain cannot do without – oxygen! So doing a mixture of cardio and resistance training will not only keep your body in good form, but it will also help to keep your mind in tip-top shape!

At any age, and absolutely crucial as you age:  Your health depends on how much human contact you get. If you live alone you especially need to seek ways to connect with people where you will enjoy yourself.  None of those lame groups sitting around grousing about their aches and pains.

You want a fun place to go to talk, play games, go on outings as a group. Sure there are pains and aches and that’s fine to talk about, but look for a group whose underlying mood is upbeat.  Otherwise they will drag you down.

What type of group depends on your personal tastes.  To get you going on some ideas, consider the following places. If you are seeking a little romance or committed relationship, many of these places provide ample opportunities.  Alternatively, some meet as couples, or mixed.  Check into this before attending if you have a preference.

Department of Parks and Recreation:  They have senior trips, dances, low impact walks and yoga, and an opportunity to bond with friends over many years.  These groups tend to be opened to all races, religions, and not nosey about your personal beliefs in that regard.

Religious Organizations:  If you practice a certain religion, look in your city for groups that have senior activities and meetings.  Some are just for fun, others may be for religious studies.

Civic, political and cause or hobby oriented groups, (running, hiking, saving the whales, gold panning, scuba and so on):  These are great because the focus isn’t on meeting people, as much as the activity or cause.  This is preferable for those who have a definite area of interest or passion, and is every bit as viable for making friends or romantic connections.  This one is in many ways superior to the others because it takes the heat off.  There is no awkwardness; it’s not like, “I’m all alone and need friends”, which can be a real wet blanket.

On that note, if you don’t have a hobby or interest, or if you have one you’ve been meaning to do, begin it and then find groups with the same passion.

Tell yourself you are not obligated to return if you didn’t care for it. On your first visit avoid trying to hard. Listen and avoid pressure to voice your opinions.  This will save your offending someone, as you don’t yet know the beliefs, positions and powers of certain people and so on.

The hardest part is getting out the door.  The good news is when you go out and enjoy good company you come away with greater energy and a positive attitude.  Or, if you, then you don’t wanna return to the group…there are plenty of schools of fish in the sea.

I hope these 5 places will get you enthused about seeing the world while you still can.  And if money is holding you back, think of alternative ways to go. House sitting, work trades, house or apartment swaps, volunteer work trip, a friend wants company and has the money to pay…you get the idea.

It is virtually impossible to advise only 5 places to see.  Get inspired with these choices and go crazy from there.  If you are 70, 80 or 90+, hop in that plane, train or automobile and find out what’s in the great big world.

Stonehenge, England The original purpose of Stonehenge is thought to have been observing the sky and planets, or rituals conducted by the people. Seeing this place, you feel a great power—possibly the power of the individuals who built it.

Kauai Hawaii, U.S. The photo says it all, great climate, slow pace, fabulous food, glorious greenery. Kauai is the alternative to commercial Honolulu.

Harbor at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil One of 7 wonders of the natural world, Rio features great music:  It’s the birth place of Bossa Nova Jazz.  The feeling in that music will carry you away to a fantasy the likes of which you’ve never known.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S. Also one of the 7 wonders of the natural world. The national park began in 1919. It’s 277 miles long, and one mile deep. You’ll want to set for hours just observing this crevasse.   White water rafting, camping and hiking will give you some exercise as well

South Africa: Thorny Bush Game Preserve A must for animal lovers.  To see all these creatures in one place is a memory you’ll treasure the rest of your life.  Bring your camera!

Take this quiz and see if you have accurate information about the aging brain.  The only rule:  Take off your glasses so you can’t see the answers. Ready… set…Go!

1.  As you get very advanced in years, it is most likely that you will get dementia (previously called senility) .

True         False

2.   A weakened memory is inevitable as you age, and there is almost nothing you can do about it.

True         False

3.  Disorders or diseases associated with aging  are:

a)Insomnia  b)Depression  c)Loneliness   d)Anxiety  e)A, B & D    f)A, B, C & D

4.   Older people are seldom creative, because they’re fixed in their thought patterns.

True         False

5.  Drinking alcohol is unhealthy for seniors, and should be avoided.

True         False

6.  At least fifty thousand brain cells are lost daily as we age.

True         False

1.  False – Dementia is a disease of an abnormal brain.  2.  False – The only difference between the memory of an aging brain and a young one: The aging brain takes longer to retrieve information.  3.  All except C – Loneliness is a challenge for seniors, but not a disorder.  If they manage it well, the brain improves.  4.  False – A creative person will remain that way as they age, and it’s possible a person will become creative for the first time starting in their 60s.  5.  False – If combined with healthy diet, alcohol in moderation can actually improve brain functioning.  6.  False – Amount of brain cells lost depends on the individual.