Brain Fitness - Much More Than Crossword Puzzles And Blueberries

With the growing occurrence of degenerative brain conditions in modern society, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, comes an increased awareness and interest from people of all ages, in the preventative tools available to help slow the ageing process and improve general brain health and cognitive function. 

The new “SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness: How to Optimise Brain health and Performance at Any Age (2013),” takes a no nonsense approach to the topic; offering a truly refreshing approach to brain health, and empowering readers with both the skills and knowledge they need to assess and improve their own brain performance.

Brain fitness... much more than crossword puzzles and blueberries

I have to admit I laughed when I first read this statement, but in actual fact it isn't a laughing matter. It is this very statement, I believe, that best highlights the feeling so many of us have about the meaning of brain health and fitness - confusion.

With media coverage wholeheartedly jumping at the chance to report on new developments in the field of brain-training, we are left with coverage that often misrepresents the scientific data and research, all too commonly taking it out of context entirely, in the name of a good headline and a ‘quick sell’ - yet many of us are quick to believe them without question.

This brings to mind a phrase that gets thrown around a lot in relation to the media – ‘don’t believe everything you read’, or hear for that matter.

I feel the text successfully reiterates this notion to readers, by instead encouraging them to take a broader view of the subject matter and gather all the information, prior to formulating their own, personalised, educated findings that are unique to each individual, just as every brain itself is unique.

The book casts out the media entities trying to benefit from a selling headline, and looks in-depth at the scientific research and studies - studies that have uncovered many interesting aspects about how the brain functions and the importance that neuroplasticity has throughout life.

It also highlights the complementary nature of both physical and mental exercise in stimulating, understanding and improving cognitive performance; and then presents this information in an easy-to-understand manner for audiences of all ages and levels to enjoy, learn and adapt from themselves.

The topics covered are divided into nine easy-to-follow chapters (listed below), with the content of each growing on knowledge obtained in the previous.

1. Start with the brain in mind
2. Be a coach, not a patient
3. Mens sana in corpore sano (A healthy mind in a healthy body)
4. You are what you eat and drink (to a point)
5. Oh, the places you'll go (Structural benefits of mental change)
6. Oh, the people you'll meet (Benefits of social engagement)
7. Manage stress, build resilience
8. Cross-train your brain; and finally,
9. How to be your own brain fitness coach

Personally, coming from a family that recently discovered the effects of Alzheimer's first hand, I jumped at the chance to read this guide.

Like so many other individuals and families in similar situations, I was hungry for knowledge, and I wanted more than the surface 'facts' the ongoing media coverage was providing me - I wanted facts and research studies that I could understand and put to use in my everyday life.

One of the simplest learnings I have taken away from reading this text is the definition of neuroplasticity - which the guide defines as "rewiring the brain through experience".

I have a lot of experience, both positive and negative with this subject, but I plan to draw upon my own experiences, focusing on improving and better understanding my own neuroplasticity, so that I may help others around me to also improve their cognitive understanding and brain fitness.

The SharpBrains Guide, without a doubt in my mind, is one of the clearest and most relatable texts I have read to date on the emerging, and constantly evolving subject of neuroplasticity; taking a 'use it or lose it' approach, the guide drives home the ultimate message to all readers, even if you only choose to read this post - that "brain fitness matters for life, and throughout life".