The Brain – Use it or Lose it
By Karen C. Jacobson, ADC
Fellowship Square Mesa
karen.jacobson@christiancare.org
Believe it or Not!
i cdnuolt blveiee that I clluod aulacity
uesdnatnrd walht I was rdanieg. The
phaonmeneal pweor of the hmuan mnid,
aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabridge
Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what oerdr the
ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is
that the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
Brain Facts
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Weight at birth – 4-5 lbs, as adults – 3 lbs
Total surface area of cerebral cortex 2.69 sq ft
100 billion neurons in brain – same as stars in galaxy
750-1,000 ml (3 cans soda) of blood flow through
brain every minute
Information travels between neurons at 260 mph
Energy used by brain can light a 25 watt light bulb
On an average day, brain produces 70,000 thoughts
Without oxygen, cells die after 4-6 minutes
Left Brain
 Literal
 Linear
 Analytical
 Evaluative
 Objective
 Verbal
 Speech and language
Right Brain
 Controls the left side
 Creative
 Imaginative
 Visual
 Artistic
 Subjective
 Non-verbal
 Spiritual and holistic
Evolution of Consciousness
• RELAXED HEMISPHERE- “alpha” waves
• ACTIVE HEMISPHERE- “beta” waves
• During mathematical and logical reasoning- An
increase in “alpha” in the right and an increase in
“beta” in the left.
• During meditation and visualization- An
increase in “alpha” in the left hemisphere and an
increase in “beta” in the right
Avoid Brain “Overload”
•Give the left brain something to do
( ie. Walk, take a ride or clean something)
•Learn to say “NO”
•Avoid the hot-button topics- Religion/politics
•Be more assertive- Tackle problems head-on
•Forgive and share your feelings
•Pamper yourself when possible (ie.massage)
•Develop a priority calendar
The Aging Brain
 Forgetfulness
 Not feeling sharp
 Difficulty learning new
things
 Unable to concentrate
 Slow to process
 Others?
The Secret to an Anti-Aging Brain
Activate Your Brain
“ An active brain is a healthy
brain, while inaction leads to
reduced brain fitness.”
Lawrence C Katz, Ph.D.
Neurobics – Brain Exercises
How Neurobics Works
• Involve one or more of your senses in
a novel context
• Engage your attention
• Break a routine activity in an
unexpected, nontrivial way.
Neurobic Exercises
• Brush teeth with non-dominant hand
• Close eyes while taking shower or washing your
hands
• Take a trip without knowing the destination
• Drive or walk a different route to work
• Sort and count coins with eyes closed
• Experiment with aromas and music during bath time
• Read aloud to yourself
Reading Aloud – A Tongue
Twister
A Tudor who tooted a flute
tried to tutor two tooters to
toot. Said the two to their
tutor, “Is it harder to toot or to
tutor two tooters to toot?”
Neurobic Warm-ups
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Breathing from diaphragm
Learning New Names
Counting
Alphabet
Names by type
Word Flow
Upside down reading
Imagining
Creative Writing
Word Association Exercise
Task: Illustrate an article about
vacations in Alaska
Vacations
Camping
Beach
Cruise ship
Camera
Sunglasses
Suitcases
Cars,trains,planes
Relaxing,
Swimming (pools)
Eating
Sleeping
Reading
Drinks
Alaska
Cold
Ice
Polar bears
Eagle
Bears
Salmon
Eskimos
Oil wells
Wilderness
Snow
Hunting
Fishing
Dog sleds
Stroop Test
Red
Blue
Red
Yellow
Green
Green
Green
Blue
Red
Green
Green
Blue
Red
Blue
Red
Blue
Yellow
Blue
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Green
Blue
Green
Green
Yellow
Red
Blue
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Blue
Yellow
Red
Green
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Blue
Red
Green
Green
Red
Blue
Blue
Blue
Green
Games
• Online - luminosity.com
123opticalillusions.com , rhymezone.com,
dakengames.com, + many
• Word – Scrabble, Guggenheim, Bananagram
• Board – Chess, Monopoly, Checkers, etc.
• Card – Bridge, poker, 500, cribbage, etc.
• Puzzles – Geometric, Jigsaw, Riddles, Story
Problems
Physical Exercise
• Tai Chi
• Yoga
• Dance
• Aerobic - swimming, walking fast,
riding bicycle
Healthy Foods
• Blueberries
• Salmon
• Flax seeds
• Coffee
• Mixed nuts
• Avocados
• Eggs
• Whole Grains
• Chocolate
• Broccoli
Classical Music
• Mozart
• Bach
• Vivaldi
Sleep
•Quiet
•Peaceful
•Undisturbed
Socialization
• Connect to family
• Connect to friends
• Connect to community
• Connect to PEOPLE
Spirituality
•Prayer
•Meditation
•Bible Study
•Religious Gatherings
Brainy Quotes
• “If you think old, you are old.”
• “You don’t grow old, you become old
by not growing.”
• “Minds are like parachutes, they work
best when they are open.”
• “Aging is a process of growth, not of
decline.”
Resources
 Keep Your Brain Alive by Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D. &
Manning Rubin
 Train Your Brain – 60 Days to a Better Brain by Dr.
Ryuta Kawashima
 Aerobics of the Mind by Marge Engelman
 The Aging Brain by Edward Gray
 Boost Your Brain Power by Ellen Michaud, Russell Wild