Brain Plasticity refers to our brain’s capacity to learn and change throughout our lifetime through the continual production of new brain cells and the creation of new neural pathways. The brain’s amazing ability to continuously reorganize itself by developing new neural pathways and producing new brain cells is the foundation on which our brain training activities were created. By challenging the brain to learn new things, or relearn tasks and abilities that may have been lost, it has the potential to rebuild itself
Brain Training: Our BrainFlex interactive workbooks are available through us or on Amazon, with a new workbook posted each month. The curriculum is designed for three sessions a week, over a four week period, however seniors can choose to complete the workbook at their own pace. The content provides interactive activities, recipes, exercises, and great conversation boosters too! It’s also fun for seniors to do by themselves, in their downtime or with a group of friends. Each workbook goes well beyond the normal activities typically found in a ‘brain training’ workbook. Based on the concept of ‘brain plasticity, ‘The BrainFlex' workbook, challenges seniors to continue learning new things, using creative, (outside of the box), thinking, while also using logic and reason to solve a variety of day to day problems seniors either have faced or are still facing. The activities allow for self-expression and spark innovative thoughts and ideas. Brain healthy recipes are a part of each weekly lesson, along with detailed nutritional information about their ingredients, and why they are so important to the brain and body. ‘Research and Discussion’ sheets are included in each lesson, giving seniors the ‘why’ behind the activities as well as the opportunity to stretch their minds and stay informed about various issues related to ‘aging well’. Guides for exercise, meditation/prayer, deep breathing and self-affirmations are also included. Workbooks begin with an action plan seniors create with their families (and/or doctor), and each week they have the opportunity to journal what steps they have taken towards reaching the goals in their action plan, which is structured around the four pillars of ‘aging-well’. (Nutrition, Brain Training, Social Connections, & Exercising/Meditation & Prayer.)
Research shows that we can radically improve our chances of maintaining brain fitness when we participate in activities that give our brain a good challenge. However, it’s important to engage in these types of activities daily in order to experience the best outcome.
Participating in brain stimulating activities can enhance your ability to process information and strengthen your reasoning skills while the following actions take place in your brain:
- Your neurons are stimulated, causing them to be more active, which in turn, allows the neurons to receive more oxygen and other nutritional elements.
- The stimulation that takes place in the brain during challenging activities increases the connections between the synapsis.
- Since our neurons are kept active during these activities, they are able to produce even more neurons.
- During a BrainFlex session, the neurons in our brains are nurtured, which researchers say, causes them to last longer.
You’ve often heard the phrase, ‘use it or lose it’. This phrase can be applied to the muscles in our body as well as to the neural pathways in our brain. This is why we stay committed to engaging in activities every day.
Of course we know how a brain healthy diet and regular exercise can contribute to physical fitness, but it also provides a tremendous benefit to our mental fitness as well. In order for us to experience these benefits, it’s important to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle, and on a consistent basis, 'The BrainFlex' Workbook allows seniors to engage in an easy to follow program, all in one place, while also keeping healthy lifestyle choices in the forefront of their minds.
Remember: Happy and Healthy is an outfit that looks good on everyone!
