SCIENCE SUPPORTS AGING WITH SPUNK INTACT
In my exploration of the brain being able to generate new
cells for a lifetime of continued learning, I came across an article in Scientific
American about Neuroscience that discussed how new discoveries about brain
function is rapidly changing the way aging is perceived. The bottom line is
this: “Use It or Lose It!”
Certainly there are things we can do every day to enhance
our neuro functions. However, there are
3 core things that we need to consider to help enhance brain function and they
are: 1. providing a sense of purpose, 2.
social interaction, and 3. stimulation of the brain.
An excellent way to achieve all 3 things is to return to
the work force or volunteer your time.
These activities are great because they provide a sense of purpose; they
integrate interaction between people, and they force you to learn new things
which keeps your brain more elastic.
Deciding to re-enter the workforce can be
perplexing. Start networking right
away. Let everyone know you’re
interested in looking for a position. Be
pro-active; register with your local temporary employment agencies. (Do this even if you don’t know a lick about
computers because once you’re registered with an agency, if they’re a really
good agency, they will have free tutorials that will teach you everything you
need to know to be brought up-to-date with software and make you competitive.) Another thing you can do is intern. Internships are a great way to learn a new
trade and a new industry while being digitally brought up-to-date.
Volunteers are needed all the time in the non-profit
sector and in schools, libraries, hospitals, and so forth. If you want to be of service, start asking
around and before you know it, you’ll be right in the thick-of-things.
Challenge yourself to make changes. Get a new look. Set an appointment for a ‘new you’ at the
nearest make-up counter. Make-overs are
usually offered for a nominal price. Get
a new hair cut or color. On a tight
budget? Hunt for deals on Groupon and in
your local papers. Be on the lookout for
grand openings. Check with beauty
colleges and schools for great deals on haircuts, manicures and facials.
Get into shape. YMCA and YWCA offer
different kinds of memberships at different prices pending age and income. Check out your local Parks and Recreation
department for classes. If you’re shy
about working out with others, check out Hulu.com and YouTube.com for on-line
exercise videos you can do at home. You
can also keep track of your progress on-line by joining fitness and weight loss
memberships such as NBC’s Biggest Loser, etc.
Be brave – join groups in your community and attend any “Meetup” which piques your curiosity. Check out what’s going on in your area by
visiting websites which belong to your councilman’s office, your city, bookstores,
libraries, museums, colleges, universities, stores, Senior centers, Moose, Elks, and so
on. Review local papers, Craigslist,
Patch, Groupon, LivingSocial, Eventful, etc. and listen to the radio.
Poetry slams, dances, Tai Chi, tournaments, concerts, art
shows, plays, readings, photography, drum circles, astronomy happenings and so forth
are being offered all the time. Play a
little game of hide-and-go-seek to find out what events are being offered in
your area. (You’ll be surprised at how
many events are free to attend.)
Whether you have to pay or you can attend for free, if
you’re the least bit interested in what’s going on - attend!
Can’t find a friend to go with you?
Too bad! Go anyway. Do something different. Learn something new. You never know what that mini adventure will
lead to! (And just think of how many
eyeballs are going to fly out of their sockets when friends and family ask you
what you did last week.)
Suggested pairing:
complement my book, Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Integrity and
Spunk Intact: Aging Defiantly
with
Erik H., Erikson’s The Life Cycle Completed.
Further Reading:
Best Jobs for
50 and Over:
Volunteering
for the Silver Generation:
Event/Social Resources:
Work
Resources:
