From Social Studies section of the Globe and Mail today:
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Improve your marbles
“Forget Sudoku, crossword puzzles and computer games,” writes Denis Campbell in The London Observer. “If you really want to train your brain, then eat dark chocolate, have plenty of sex and follow the Scandinavian example of having cold meat for breakfast. The growing numbers of people who are trying to strengthen their mental ability through ‘brain training’ should also avoid cannabis, watching soap operas, hanging out with serial complainers or pursuing fat-free diets, according to a new book on getting ‘brain fit.’ Many of the suggestions in Teach Yourself: Training Your Brain are surprising, such as cuddling a baby, cheating at school, reading out loud, and doing your university degree in business studies. Co-authors Terry Horne and Simon Wootton say their recommendations are based on and backed by the latest research by leading experts around the world.”
I’m a vegetarian, I’m off chocolate because it aggravates my arthritis, and my wrist gets tired. It seems my mental decrepitude is assured.
I never cheated at school, I really don’t want to do another degree course, and certainly not one in business studies.
It’s down to cuddling babies and reading out loud.
Okay, the last one I can handle.
Oh wait. It was in one of the UK Sunday Papers? In that case I can safely ignore it.
Chocolate gives me a headache dagnabbit. Babies usually don’t, thankfully. I like butter, so we’re ok there. Detest soap operas…ok there too.
Unfortunately, like IB, I will have to forego the cold meat breakfasts.
I can’t. I went through a very brief interlude of watching General Hospital ten or so years ago because people kept telling me I looked like Finola Hughes, and I had to see what they were talking about.
Apparently, we’ve diverged, as that hasn’t happened in a good long while.
Many of the suggestions in Teach Yourself: Training Your Brain are surprising, such as cuddling a baby, cheating at school, reading out loud, and doing your university degree in business studies.
And don’t forget getting a Nobel prize. Research says that people who get Nobel prizes also score very highly on IQ tests, so it must be good for your brain to get a Nobel prize.
Fortunately, brain plasticity studies have shown that the brain can “rewire” itself into old age, and even add new cells in response to stimulation. […] > Learning a new musical instrument, for example, has been found to have a protective effect against cognitive decline> , even in those younger than 65, according to the 2001 report “Achieving and Maintaining Cognitive Vitality With Aging,” sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Aging and the International Longevity Center-USA, among others.
In other words-- buying more musical instruments is good for your health.
Sorry, couldn’t help it. 