We want our brains to stay in tip-top shape as we age. How do we outsmart aging and keep dementia at bay? A groundbreaking study led by a neurology professor sought to answer this question. It involved 600 Catholic nuns, who kindly agreed to yearly evaluations and a detailed brain analysis after their death.
The Nun Study
Started in 1986 and still going strong, this study aimed to uncover Alzheimer's and dementia risk factors, focusing on lifestyle, genetics, and more.
Surprisingly, many nuns led joyful, fulfilling lives despite showing physical signs of dementia.
Key factors contributing to their mental resilience included:
Engaging in complex cognitive tasks and pursuing higher education 📚
Maintaining strong social ties and active social lives 👯♀️
Experiencing low amounts of stress 😇
In this newsletter, we keep talking about the importance of #2 and #3 above. Today, our focus is on new challenges.
So what exactly can we take away from this study?
Bring in new challenges
“New” is the keyword here. Diversity is your brain's best friend.
Excelling at crosswords? Time to learn a ukulele. Ukulele pro? How about some ping pong? 🏓
Introducing your brain to a variety of challenges keeps it young and agile.
So what new things can we pick as our challenge? There are nine types of intelligence to choose from! ⬇️
9 intelligence types 🧠😎
Some have a great logical mind, others are experts at reading the emotions of others, while some have a musical mind.
Although any new challenge you pick will help, you’ll benefit immensely if you pick an entirely different area of your current expertise.
There are 9 types of intelligence found in people:
Logical (Number smart): Analyze and solve problems logically. Think mathematicians, scientists, and engineers.
Linguistic (Word smart): Ability to use language skillfully, including reading, writing, and speaking. Think writers, poets, journalists, and lawyers.
Spatial (Visual smart): Expertise in thinking visually and imagining and understanding spatial concepts with ease. Think architects, artists, designers, and pilots.
Bodily (Body smart): Kinesthetic abilities that include using your body skillfully and coordinating your movements gracefully. Think athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople.
Musical (Sound smart): Ability to ‘get’ and create music. It includes understanding pitch and rhythm. Think musicians and composers.
Interpersonal (People smart): Ability to connect well with other people, build relationships, and navigate social situations. Think leaders, teachers, counselors, and salespeople.
Intrapersonal (Self-smart): Ability to understand yourself, your emotions, motivations, and goals. Think introspective individuals, counselors, therapists, and writers.
Naturalist (Nature smart): Ability to understand and connect with the natural world, including plants, animals, and ecosystems. Think biologists, environmentalists, farmers, and gardeners.
Existential (Life smart): Contemplate life's big questions. Think philosophers, theologians, artists, and writers.
Pick “frustrating enough, achievable enough”
Take a moment to go through the above list again. Which intelligence types are you? 🤔
Reflect on your strengths and consider stepping into a completely new arena for a thrilling challenge.
Let’s say you have been a Math pro all your life. Of course, you can hone your abilities in the same area (logical) e.g., solving puzzles, learning chess. Or….you can challenge yourself further and dive deep into Stoic philosophy!
Whichever area or challenge you pick, one thing you need to make sure of is choosing the right level of challenge.
The right challenge should be just beyond reach but attainable. Too easy, and boredom sets in. Too hard, and frustration takes over.
Lifelong learning: Not just for kids
While kids are encouraged to try everything from karate to coding, adults often stick to the familiar. It's time to break that mold. Picking up new hobbies or skills can activate untapped areas of your brain, sparking growth and vitality.
The key to a vibrant, youthful mind lies in continuous learning and embracing new challenges. Let's not just grow older; let's grow bolder, keeping our brains buzzing with activity and curiosity. Stay sharp, stay curious, and let the adventure of learning never end! 🙌