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Use Your Brain or Lose It

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Use Your Brain or Lose It

Brain activity is sometimes compared to physical exercise: the more inactive you are

cognitively or physically, the less power and capacity you possess. To rephrase it differently,

use it or lose it, an idea that has been adequately verified through science. Use it or lose it is a

well-known adage that has given older adults advice, suggesting that to retain a skill, one

must constantly practice it. Just like how regular practice of sports like golf or

basketball enhances performance, exercising the brain through stimulating cognitive activities

also increases the brain's functionality.

The brain's capacity to forge new synaptic connections to adapt to damage, illness, or

novel circumstances appears to be a use-it-or-lose-it aspect of cognitive performance. The

brain functions best when it is frequently stimulated and challenged since these challenges

cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to new ways of perceiving and understanding

the world (Shors et al., 2012). The brain's functions start to weaken when it is not stimulated

in the right amount. In order to improve the brain's cognitive performance, elderly persons

must subject their brains to solving challenging puzzles to forge new synaptic connections.

Elderly persons who engage in activities like completing crossword puzzles, reading,

playing checkers and chess, visiting museums, watching educational television,

playing cards, and partaking in plenty of other cognitively stimulating activities minimize

their chances of having Alzheimer's illness, according to research (Swaab et al., 2002). Such

activities also enhance cognitive abilities. They have discovered that individuals may become

overly dependent on technological gadgets and deliberately use tools like voice notes and

reminders to disengage from their regular lives. It's essential to maintain a conscious

awareness of the surrounding all day long in order to develop moments that will stimulate

your mind.
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Maintaining a sane and healthy mindset requires individuals to engage their brains

constantly. Similar to staying fit through physical exercise, learning new skills or knowledge

requires individuals to utilize their brains frequently. This research recommends that

individuals, especially the elderly who are prone to memory lapses, should engage in

cognitively stimulating activities such as solving puzzles and riddles to ensure that their brain

is in the right shape. Furthermore, individuals should also be wary of technological

innovations such as voice notes and reminders that lessen cognitive tasks since such

technologies also inhibit the brain's cognitive abilities

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References

Shors, T. J., Anderson, M. L., Curlik Ii, D. M., & Nokia, M. S. (2012). Use it or lose it: how

neurogenesis keeps the brain fit for learning. Behavioural brain research, 227(2),

450-458.

Swaab, D. F., Dubelaar, E. J. G., Hofman, M. A., Scherder, E. J. A., Van Someren, E. J. W.,

& Verwer, R. W. H. (2002). Brain aging and Alzheimer's disease; use it or lose

it. Progress in brain research, 138, 343-373.