Active brain, sharper mind

IT is heartbreaking to witness a loved one succumb to dementia. People living with diseases such as Alzheimer’s slowly lose touch with reality, forgetting everything from memories to, at later stages of the disease, how to swallow.

Dementia can happen to anyone. As there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, is there anything that can be done to prevent or delay its onset?

Some healthcare professionals and researchers are of the opinion that there are certain steps that can be taken to prevent Alzheimer’s, such as sleeping well, avoiding stress, keeping active, maintaining a healthy eating habit and exercising the brain by keeping it stimulated.

While there is no conclusive evidence that brain-stimulating activities can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia, pursuing these would not cause any harm, either. So, why not give it a try and hope for the best?

Learn a new language

A research article titled Does Bilingualism Influence Cognitive Ageing published in Edinburgh Research Explorer suggests that bilingualism has a positive effect on later-life cognition and can help prevent dementia. It also suggests that when a person chooses to learn a new language has no influence on the outcome.

Hence, it is not too late to learn one or two new languages. Even if it does not prevent or delay Alzheimer’s, you can explore a new culture and hopefully make new friends with your newly acquired foreign language proficiency. Socialising is known to stimulate your brain, too.

Learn to play a musical instrument

One of the ultimate brain exercises is learning to play a musical instrument. Researchers at University of Texas Arlington conducted a study on musicians and concluded that they show greater ability in retaining and recalling long-term memory. There have also been studies that suggest that musicians have faster reaction times, implying that their brains are well stimulated.

Solve puzzles

It goes without saying that puzzles, such as sudoku and crosswords, stimulate your brain. By making your brain work hard to solve tough puzzles, you can ensure that your brain stays active and sharp.

Apart from sudoku, you can also try playing board, card and memory games.

Read a book

Instead of spending a considerable amount of time on your phone or staying glued to the television, read a book, as it might help you fend off Alzheimer’s. Reading stimulates the brain by making you think, imagine and create a picture of what you are reading in your mind.

It will also help you sleep better, which is another contributing factor to keeping many diseases, including Alzheimer’s, at bay.