Proactive Anti-Aging – Brain Power - Does White Matter Really Matter?

 

 

 

 

Here’s another reason to keep active. Studies show that older adults who are active regardless of type (light, moderate of vigorous) have more white matter in the structure of their brains. But what does this mean? White matter connects the grey matter (cell bodies) of our brains and carries nerve impulses between the nerves. More white matter increases the speed of the transmission. Those with more white matter scored higher on mental test than those with less. What scientist discovered was those with more white matter had more brain variability. Brain variability is associated with greater cognitive functioning. Scientist used blood oxygen levels to measure cognitive  functioning of older adults and found that it’s not how hard you work, but how active you are that counts when it comes to increased brain power.

So go ahead and thumb your nose at all those young tech savvy kids sitting for hours glued to their computers and smart phones. Get moving and grooving and you will add variability to your thought processes at accelerated speed because when it comes to the brain power (and wisdom) white matter matters!

Doctor Lynn

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson

You Earned It - Proactive Anti-Aging

 

 

 

 

 

Last week I worked seven days in a row. This week I really feel it. It’s not that I didn’t feel it when I was younger. It’s just that now I have no problem kicking back and slowing down. I don’t want to push, compete, run, worry and stress anymore.  Stressful worry adds years to your life. Putting your feet up and taking a breath adds health to your life. I’ll take health over years any day.

I’m trying to do a project using the computer and I must say I am at a loss. What I really want to do is hire some young kid to come in and solve my problem while I have my feet up, breathing and may-be even sipping a glass of wine.

I taught my classes this week and did a talk radio interview. After each class I found myself wanting to take a break.  I’m pacing myself by taking time to put up my feet, take a breath, sip a glass of wine and smugly smile because I know that the best thing I can do for my health is to take a proactive approach to aging; I’ll get to it, whatever it is,  when I feel like it. Put your feet up and smile.  You earned it!

Doctor Lynn

Proactive Anti-Aging - Purifying the Soul

 

 

 

 

 

They say that a drenching of water from the Ganga River in India will purify the soul. It is also said that adventure awakens and enlightens the soul. If you want to stay young you have to be willing to venture out and attempt to do something that expands your horizon. But it must be done with care and a little thought.

When chronologically young we feel the invincibility of youth. Everything is a new challenge. Experience is yet to be earned. As we age we begin to pay for our youthful escapades.  There are the  times when we jumped head on into rollicking and rolling feats that left us in our later years with memories of pain and arthritic tenderness as our badge and testament of our courage or stupidity. Experience teaches us that sometimes it is best to pause for a moment and assess the situation before jumping in. Maturity teaches us to evaluate the risk.

As I arrived in Rishikesh India and headed for my lodging at the upper end of the Ganga River I was met by a group of young water sports guides. They greeted me with such enthusiasm as they informed me that part of my stay included a rafting trip down the Ganga. OMG I thought, can I really do this?

There were two levels of rafting. One was a short four mile easy ride and the other was a sixteen mile rather intense ride. I opted for the short ride. Suited and ready to go my team mates (all three about thirty-five) kept pestering me to complete the full ride. They needed me to balance out the raft and to balance out the energy and fun. So after the first four miles will little more than a bit of paddling and one small set of rapids I was easily persuaded to finish the sixteen mile ride. OMG I was now committed.

Three hours, sixteen miles and about ten really wild rapids later I finished the ride soaked from the Ganga River. I purified my soul and awakened it to the youthful joy of doing something for the first time that left a lasting impression on my being.  I’m not invincible and I know enough to pick my challenges wisely.  I am strong and in good shape so I knew I could handle the job of navigating the rapids on the Ganga. I also knew my soul felt free flowing with the river in the midst of nature on a beautiful spring day in the land of peace and serenity. Now I can honestly say the Ganga purified, awakened and enlightened my soul and that is proactive anti-aging at its best!

Doctor Lynn    

http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson