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Keeping your mind active
Growing older doesn’t have to mean that your mental abilities will decrease - there's a lot you can do to keep your mind sharp and alert. Researchers believe that many of the supposed age-related changes that affect the mind, such as memory loss, are actually related to lifestyle. Just as muscles get flabby from sitting around and doing nothing, so does the brain.
Prescription medications and diseases can both affect your mental abilities. Older people are more likely to take a range of medications for chronic conditions than younger people. But to help manage any chronic disease you may have, it is essential to keep taking medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Certain diseases that are more common in old age, such as Alzheimer's disease, can also be the underlying cause of declining mental abilities. It is worth checking with your doctor to make sure any changes in brain function that you notice, such as memory loss, aren't associated with drugs or illness.
Lifelong learning can exercise the brain and help it stay younger. Getting involved in learning can also reduce stress and isolation, and provide opportunities to meet people and make friends. You learn new things by participating in a wide variety of activities including reading, learning a new skill, doing voluntary work in your community or joining a discussion group.
Other activities that can help you keep mentally sharp include:
- mind games like crosswords, number and word puzzles such as sodoku, chess, Scrabble, draughts and cards
- being physically active
- reading newspapers, magazines and books
- going to plays, concerts, museums, galleries
- keeping up your social life and having plenty of stimulating conversations
- keeping up hobbies like jigsaws, painting, sewing, carpentry or taking up new hobbies
- cooking and gardening
- taking a course on a subject that interests you
- learning a language, and
- keeping stress under control with meditation and regular relaxation.
Physical fitness is important
Some conditions that can affect the brain’s ability to function, such as stroke, are associated with diet, obesity and sedentary lifestyle choices. Keeping an active body is crucial if you want an active mind. Regular exercise can improve your brain’s memory, reasoning abilities and reaction times. Avoid the complications of obesity (such as diabetes and heart disease) by maintaining a healthy weight for your height.- Taking at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day delivers an oxygen boost to the brain.
- Three 10-minute blocks of activity a day is enough to deliver significant health benefits.
- You can be active while waiting for the kettle to boil or during television advertisements
- Choose the type of activity that suits you best.
- Do it with a friend.
- Avoid smoking and drinking to excess.
Diet and nutrition
- Good nutrition helps to keep your brain in optimum condition.
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables/salads.
- Drink adequate amounts of water and/or other fluids.
- Glucose is the brain's sole energy source, so eat a balanced diet and avoid low carbohydrate diets.
- Narrowed arteries can reduce blood flow to the brain, so make sure you eat a low-fat diet, but maintain a healthy weight.
Conditions and events that can impair brain function
Some of the conditions and events more common to older age that can affect brain function include:- atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the body’s large arteries
- dehydration
- dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease
- depression
- diabetes mellitus
- heart disease
- medications – prescribed medicines should be regularly reviewed so that unwanted side effects are avoided, and drugs should be discontinued if they are no longer required
- poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency
- Parkinson's disease, and
- stroke.
Things to remember
- Researchers believe that many of the supposed age-related changes which affect the mind, such as memory loss, are actually lifestyle-related.
- Keeping an active body is crucial if you want an active mind.
- Some of the conditions and events more common to old age that may hinder brain function include dementia, Parkinson's disease and atherosclerosis.
Worried about your memory?
The Dementia and Memory Community Centres can provide information, referral and advice, support services and activities. For more information call the National Dementia Hotline on 1800 100 500.Useful contacts
- Alzheimer’s Australia: Mind your mind
- Better Health Channel: Healthy ageing, keeping an active mind.
Read More:
For more information on how to be physically active get your free copy of ‘Choose Health: Be Active’, a physical activity guide for older Australians by contacting 1800 500 853For more information on good food choices, phone 1800 020 103 for your free booklet or brochure called ‘Eat well for life’.
Common questions on this topic:
- I'm fit enough physically, but now that I have retired the days seem to drag on and I feel I am getting mentally sluggish.
- I'd like to learn about the internet; where do I go?
See all common questions