How to Train the Aging Brain

[elleng]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/education/edlife/03adult-t.html?hpw

[DJ13]

1. I know it sounds nuts, but I've found video games helps the mind stay sharp

Not just the platform kind, or the Wii activity type, but the best for keeping my mind sharp are mystery games (like Agatha Christie) , and those hidden object type of games that forces you to concentrate.

[gateley]

4. Doesn't sound nuts at all - sounds like a great exercise, and fun! nt

[Warpy]

2. I've been retraining my eyes with

the kiddie hidden object games and my vision has been improving steadily, I'm sure in part because of it.

I've always done word and math games. I'm especially partial to the crosswords in the back of Harper's.

[Sal Minella]

9. Acrostics? I was addicted to those when I could afford to subscribe

to Harper's.

Love the rush when you suddenly start filling in blanks and boxes faster than you can write!

I got to be pretty good at the New York Times Sunday crossword when we could afford to get the paper.

[Warpy]

10. When I was broke, I'd go to the library and copy the puzzle

for a dime. I'd read the articles there, then go home and work the puzzle.

Now I generally do the puzzle before I read the articles.

[gateley]

3. K&R -- Great! nt

[saracat]

5. The examples they give have always plagued me, regardless of age.

I believe that many such acts of "forgetfulness" are as the result of thinking about several things at once, or multi tasking.And as for books, many, many times, even in my youth, I have gotten halfway though a novel when it begins to sound familiar ! I realize that I have bought the same book twice!But OTOH, I still read about four books a week and very quickly! I almost never remember the authors name unless it is very prominent. I also, until recently had difficulty with the names of contemporary musicians but that was because I wasn't paying attention.Recently I have and voila, I remember them but I completely ditched the 80's and most of the 90's.

But that tendency too was always with me. Working in entertainment, I seldom watched TV. A famous comedian I worked with was astounded to find I had never heard of him. I had asked what he "did"on a TV show. I am sure he still tells that story.
On the whole though it was an interesting article. I agree that we develop more depth and complexity as well as more ability to see the whole picture.

I think in many ways we just become more intense defined versions of ourselves as we age. Hopefully we will intensify the good aspects and not the bad!

[theoldman]

6. I could have written that article on forgetting things.

It takes me a while to remember a name. After five years I can re-read a book as if I had never read it before. For some strange reason I can remember things that occurred when I was a child and that was a long time ago.

[Mira]

7. Bookmarked

for when I need it

:rofl:
Looks fascinating, thank you Elleng
Recommended

[stray cat]

8. Challenge your dogmatic assumptions of the world - good advice

[billyclem]

11. Always be in the process of learning.

I currently have two new activities underway, making mandolins and programming my new iPhone. Add these to my existing hobbies and I have a very busy retirement.

:grouphug: