Use It Or Lose It"Use it or lose it" used to mean use your body or lose your fitness level. Today, it has new relevance to brain power. Challenge yourself and your friends or family to some fun brainteaser games and improve your thinking and concentration! Research studies have indicated that brain aging can be controlled, at least in part. The latest data estimates that genetics is responsible for only one-third of what determines our memory ability and brain health. Our daily experiences, lifestyle choices (nutrition, diet, stress, exercise), and basic overall brain fitness habits (brain exercises) dictate the other two-thirds. The good news, if we exercise our minds and make smart choices, it's possible to have control over the speed at which our brains age — and we may even be able to sharpen previously weakened areas. Scientists have known for years that as we get older, the brain tends to function less efficiently, and electrical currents connecting different areas of the brain get weaker. Now studies have shown that this gradual deterioration can be reversed. Brain function can be maintained and indeed improved. New brain cells are created throughout our lives. The more we use any part of the brain, the more developed and efficient it becomes doing that particular thing, whether it's strategic planning or doing a crossword. The key is to work at it. A lifetime of active mental functioning is the best protection against decline in old age. But it is not as simple as continuing to do the puzzles and hobbies that you love and are already good at; the brain must be continually stretched and challenged. Practice things that you don't regularly practice. For instance, if you're not much of a math person, practice solving mathematical word problems with your grandkids. You remember those brainteasers from elementary school, "If Farmer John is traveling 50 miles at 30 mph to deliver 100 bushels of corn…" It'll help them in school — and help keep you on your toes! Or, if you've never been much for word play, organize a family scrabble game and don't go for the easiest word choices. Challenge your friends and family to a crossword puzzle-solving competition and make it fun. Whoever fills in the most squares correctly gets a free double-dip ice cream cone from the local ice cream parlor. Apart from mental training, other aspects of a person's lifestyle changes have also been found to promote good brain health. These include nurturing close relationships with friends and family, doing mentally challenging work and sticking to a healthy diet. Read, write, take classes, play cards, start a new hobby. Keep learning. Stay connected with friends and family too; the interactions stimulate memory, concentration and mental processing. Cognitive training is good for the brain at any age and can reinvigorate elderly brains. Take heart…Sudoku is good for you! From crossword puzzles to computer games, there are a growing number of online options promoting brain exercise as a method to keep your mind young. There are many games to choose from on the internet
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