Page 203 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

Regain an Agile Brain • 187

Regular physical activity can cure a multitude of ills. It re-
duces depression and sleeplessness, lowers blood pressure,
reduces the risk of heart attack and many cancers, builds
healthy bones and muscles, controls weight, increases sur-
vival after surgery, and improves cognitive functions. Reg-
ular physical activity can even reduce a person’s biological
16
age by 10 to 20 years. On the other hand, inactivity pro-
duces premature aging, increased risk of chronic and dis-
abling diseases, earlier loss of independence, and earlier
mortality. Surprisingly, 29 percent of seniors 65 years and
older get no exercise of any sort. 17

FEELING WITH YOUR BRAIN

Recall that your body, spirit, and mind are all interacting in
a dance of life. Your emotions are very influential in the
quality of your mental and physical health and efficiency.
Some emotional aspects of your personality—such as a car-
ing or loving nature, a high level of self-esteem, and a feel-
ing of being in control of your life (self-efficacy)—are
beneficial. Other emotions—such as stress, depression, and
loneliness—are detrimental to the quality of your life at any
age. The following assessment may help you identify how
you are dealing with the highs and lows of life.

Mental-State Assessment
Ask yourself the following questions. The key to this
miniquiz is prolonged symptoms. When you answer “yes” to
any of these, be certain that the situation is characteristic for
you for a period of more than two weeks.
1. _____ Do you feel sad most of the time for long peri-
ods of time?
2. _____ Are you irritable, and do you stay that way for
more than two weeks?
3. _____ Has your weight increased or decreased with-
out that being your intention?