2024-01-10 11:55:00
There are 1 million people with dementia in Korea. As it is a representative elderly disease, the average life expectancy is getting longer and the number of elderly people is increasing, so the number of people suffering from dementia is also increasing. In Japan, which is considered the oldest country in the world, there are more than 6 million dementia patients.
Once dementia occurs, recovery is difficult. The best treatment lies in prevention. Dementia is caused by abnormal brain function, so strengthening the nerve cells and their network, the neural network, through brain activation is the first step in preventing dementia. The principle is that as brain tissue becomes thicker, it becomes more resistant to aging and dementia.
The brain is a very strong organ among the human organs, so it does not deteriorate so easily if used properly every day. We need to find a way to slow down brain aging, which is closely related to dementia. Dr. Hideki Wada, a psychiatrist who boasts the highest authority in the field of geriatric psychiatry in Japan, introduced 20 brain exercises that can be easily practiced in daily life through his recent book ‘Wall of Dementia’ (published by Jijisa).
First of all, just taking deep breaths in and out two or three times for 5 to 6 seconds at a time can help your brain. This is because it supplies more oxygen. The brain is the part of the body that requires the most oxygen, consuming 30% of the body’s oxygen. Singing songs, which naturally encourage breathing, also helps in the same way.
You can also exercise your brain in a restaurant or kitchen. When choosing a menu at a restaurant, your brain is activated just by thinking about it yourself and making your choice rather than leaving it to someone else. Cooking, where you think about the cooking sequence, adjust the seasoning, or adjust the heat intensity, is one of the best brain exercises.
Growing plants or pets also helps with brain activity. In particular, farming requires a lot of brainpower to the extent that it is called a brain occupation. This is because many unexpected things happen as we work with the ever-changing weather, and to deal with them, we use the frontal lobe, which controls higher mental functions such as planning and problem solving, a lot. When working in a garden or vegetable garden, it is a bonus that a lot of sunlight increases the secretion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain.
The hobby of drawing is also very helpful in activating the brain. There are many painters who live long lives, such as Picasso, who lived to over 90 years, and there are many who publish their works even after they are 100 years old. Observing the object to be drawn and applying brush strokes naturally activates the brain. Among the treatments for depression, there is a method called ‘conversation therapy’, which is also effective in relieving depressed mood and stress. In addition, going to see newly released movies, performances, or sports games can provide positive stimulation to the brain. Because the frontal lobe responds to new and surprising things, it is helpful to enjoy new things in unusual spaces. On a similar principle, independent travel or backpacking, which requires planning and making various decisions, also activates the frontal lobe.
As you get older, you tend to lose interest in many things. Consumption is decreasing, and people don’t pay much attention to their clothes. However, this kind of frugal life can actually have a negative effect on the brain. Since the act of spending money itself is a high-level brain activity aimed at obtaining maximum satisfaction within the budget, ‘moderate luxuries’ that do not threaten one’s life actually benefit the brain. Dressing up is also a behavioral therapy that exercises the brain. When you look stylish, it awakens your brain in a way that broadens your range of actions and rejuvenates your emotions, making you want to go to places that match it.
Irish playwright Bernard Shaw once said, “It’s not that you don’t enjoy it because you’re old, but that you grow old because you don’t enjoy it.” This is directly related to brain health. Dr. Hideki Wada said, “The reason why many people actually begin to develop dementia at the age of 82 or 83 is because many people become psychologically depressed, thinking, ‘I’m 80 years old, so I should stop playing golf’ or ‘I’m 80 years old, so I should stop learning.’” “If you can continue, just keep enjoying it,” he advised.
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