To Feel Younger at Any Age, EVEN After 80 Years Old

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For cognitive and brain improvement, daily brain training include varied sessions of puzzles, memory games, apps designed for cognition, reading aloud, or learning a new simple skill. Or enlist in cognitive rehab or therapy for memory, attention, and problem-solving retraining. Music works, too, by listening, singing, or playing an instrument, alluring to vast brain networks. Acknowledging loss of one or more senses, for example, with hearing aids or appropriate glasses, can majorly lessen the risk of cognitive worsening. 

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Aim for physical activity 3 to 5 times/week, 20 to 30 minutes if acceptable by improving sleep, mood, and brain capacity. Try if you’re able for regular aerobic exercise like walking (even just short around the home or garden), stationary bike, or water aerobics in reducing gravity’s pull, making movement feel easier and much more restoring. Stretching and mellow yoga or tai chi help flexibility and calmness. In addition, balance and strength training, like chair squats or resistance bands, are designed to reduce falls and increase self-determination.

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Emotional and mental health can improve by treating depression and/or anxiety quickly by medications and one-on-one therapy to improve motivation, reduce stress, and sharpen focus. Try to practice mindfulness or breathing exercises daily. Spending time with younger generations can naturally make you feel younger. If you have grandchildren or great-grandchildren, ask them to teach you about their world like a new technology or current music. Try volunteering that matches seniors with young students for  conversations or reading out loud by listening to their reactions.

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Social communication include activities mentoring younger people, art, or storytelling can help that goal of feeling younger. Cheer yourself with any progress. Join any group that caters to your needs and meeting with people just life yourself. Here are my own 3 favorite for the brain injured:

• Join Brain Exchange and communicate around the world. We’re the only international group in 6 continents. Click on: https://dearjoyce.club/join-be/
• This spirited group, with Daniel Gu heading it, meets virtually every Tuesday at 1pm PT, 2pm MT, 3pm CT, 4pm ET, and the name is the Bus Committee. Ask any member why it’s called that. Click on: https://zoom.us/j/3249406839
• Healing Creatively: An Art Group for Survivors of Brain Injury in Facebook

Penpals, aka letter writing, through email as in Brain Exchange and video calls with friends and family somehow makes you feel younger. 

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Avoid illicit drugs and alcohol as well as tobacco because it can or exacerbate brain injury while also increasing the risk for respiratory problems, cancer, and cardiovascular malfunction. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) especially can interfere with recovery and often has serious, even potentially life-threatening effects used post-injury.

AUD can cause injury to the brain, up to and including Wernicke’s encephalopathy (a serious, acute neurological emergency caused by a deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine), most commonly related to alcohol use disorder) and Korsakoff syndrome (a severe memory disorder) caused by a lack of vitamin B1 most commonly linked to chronic alcohol misuse.

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Nutrition and sleep mattter, too. Consume a balanced, varied diet with lean protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. The Mediterranean-style way of eating helps brain health by focusing on fruits, vegetables, fatty fish (omega-3s), and whole grains to support heart and brain health. Consistent sleep regimen helps with regular bedtime, late caffeine (for most people, after 2 pm), and treat sleep apnea if present. Sleep is when the brain clears out abnormal proteins and consolidates memories.

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Continue to enjoy the activities you used to like. Learn new things like a language at your own pace. Try youthful dancing (even without a partner) to your favorite music like rock n’ roll or country. Also, use creative hobbies like knitting or crocheting as a gift for a loves one, anything that triggers feelings of youthfulness. Varying your activities is more effective than repeating the same activities all the time, every day.

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Use adaptive strategies if needed, like hearing and vision aids. Always use better sensory input improves engagement. Don’t let vanity get in the way! Let assistive tech help you, like medication reminders, large-button phones, voice assistants, and simplified tablets for video games.