Keep learning at any age to stay mentally active

Learning is usually associated with young age, and as we get old we think that now we can't learn like young persons. But the fact is that more we use our brain and use our mental skills, more we become mentally stronger. This researched based article can help you understand that we can keep learning at any age and this process keeps us mentally active and mentally healthy.

Research studies prove that "people who keep learning and stay mentally active increase their odds of retaining good brain function as they age. The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets — and the longer it stays strong."

Memory difficulties caused by the aging process are relatively minor — they won't interfere with your ability to do your job or run your household. And there are many things you can do to protect and improve your memory. Some health conditions that become more common with age can impair memory, such as high blood pressure. Memory impairment is also among the side effects of some medications, such as sleep aids and some pain relievers. In such cases, controlling health problems and switching medications can often restore memory function.

Contrary to what we once believed, our brains keep growing new neurons (brain cells) and making new connections between them throughout life. This capacity for rejuvenation raises the potential for medical treatments to stop and reverse memory loss, whether from disease or from aging.

Report: Aaron P. Nelson, Ph.D.
Medical Editor, Chief of Neuropsychology, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital

source link: Improving Memory