Page 173 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

Regain an Agile Brain • 157

RHYTHMS OF YOUR BRAIN

Our mind, spirit, and body perform an intricate, intensely
interactive dance of life. When our body’s health is compro-
mised, as when we have a cold, our cognitive functions and
emotional well-being suffer. When we suffer an emotional
upset, our judgments are not as clear as we would like, and
sometimes our body rebels under the stress with gastroin-
testinal flareups or other aches and pains. In addition, when
our cognitive functioning is not up to par, we cannot control
or respond correctly to the physical and emotional demands
in our environment.
One of the central controlling mechanisms in this dance
of life is the natural rhythm of our bodies. It causes us to
wake at approximately the same hour each morning, coordi-
nates blood pressure and temperature cycles, and controls
hundreds of activities within our bodies. These rhythms can
be a tremendous influence on our emotional well-being,
physical functioning, and cognitive abilities. How effective
we are at improving our bodies and minds while fighting off
diseases and age-related changes depends to various degrees
on our health, age, genetics, gender, attitude, and natural
rhythms. The body’s natural rhythms are classified as

• Ultradian, which are shorter than 24-hour cycles, such
as the rhythm of your heartbeat

• Circadian, which are approximately 24-hour cycles,
such as your sleep/wake pattern

• Infradian, which are longer than circadian, as in a
woman’s hormonal cycle

• Seasonal, which cycle throughout the year, as in a
man’s testosterone cycle

The emphasis in this book is on circadian rhythms unless
otherwise noted. These rhythms are of a good length, so we can
easily see the effects of interventions. In addition, many of these
rhythms directly and indirectly affect our mental capability.