I have been at my mama's since October 2nd. She at the age of 91, has a wonderful memory.

Now, she will repeat the same story to me four or five times a day, but each time I listen again.

Mama reads books, and she also does word search puzzles.

As she does these different things, she renews her mind. It also helps in building back new brain cells.

I read the article below and I thought I would share it with you.

Blessings,
Pastor Pat

 

(Proverbs 23:7)
"For as he things within himself, so he is."

If I asked you to describe your memory, what would you say? If I asked what you think about growing older, what would you say?

You probably would not be shocked to learn that younger adults tend to believe negative stereotypes about older adults. But would it surprise you to learn that older adults tend to believe these same stereotypes? That type of thinking can get you in trouble.

Romans 12:2 instructs us not to be conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we get older, if we evaluate our memories more positively, have more optimistic beliefs about the aging process, and engage in mental exercises, we are more likely to perform better on memory tests.

Beware of the "why bother" attitude. If you are convinced that memory automatically deteriorates as you age, why would you be motivated to do things that would strengthen it? What tragic thinking! People who rate their memory as poor and perform poorly on memory tests actually do better on later memory tests simply as a result of interventions to improve their attitudes toward aging.

Philippians 4:8 says to think about "whatever is honorable whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable."

The first step in strengthening our mental abilities as we get older is to change our minds and to have more optimism about memory and aging.

The second step is to be a lifelong learner by performing mental exercises. A leading theory in the field of cognitive aging is known as the "Use It or Lose It" theory. If we are not steadily keeping our minds active, our mental abilities get left behind.

Since most of us are more interested in the "use it" part of the theory and don't really want to talk about the "lose it" portion, what kind of activities or exercise should we be doing?

Consider this top 12 list of things designed to help us change our minds.

1. Read, read, read, and read some more.
2. Do crossword puzzles.
3. Visit a museum.
4. Be involved in professional and community organizations.
5. Perform home maintenance activities, such as repairs.
6. Plan and cook meals
7. Continue your education.
8. Participate in a memory-enhancing training seminar.
9. Manage your stress. During times of stress, the body releases glucocorticoids, which suppress the immune system. As we age, we have a loss of neurons in an area of the brain that makes it more difficult to control levels of glucocorticoids.
10. Do art work.
11. Continue to Play the Piano or Organ
12. Continue to enjoy the things you did in your younger days that help you relax.

It is never too early and never too late to start exercising your mind. Beginning as a child will give you a strong foundation, but recent research shows that even the wisest of us all -- the centenarians -- benefit from a mental exercise program.

Why not determine today specifically what you will do to improve your memory and to develop a positive attitude about growing older?

Help rebuild those brain cells by doing the things that you may have not done in a long time.

God is willing to do His part, are you?


Written By:
Holly Brand
Holly is president of Yello-Umbrella Ministries and a professor of psychology at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Mo.
 

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