Neuroplasticity is defined as “the ability of the brain to rewire itself through experience”. 

We typically summarize a lot of brain research by encouraging SharpBrains readers is to seek for novelty, variety and challenge, as guidelines for “brain exercise” that will help build new connections in the brain, force one to be mindful and pay attention, improve abilities such as pattern-recognition, and in general contribute to lifelong brain health.

A friend just sent an update on her amazing experience in Namibia (the pic on the right shows the entrance to the University of Namibia) that shows how Travel and Engagement with meaningful projects can provide superb mental stimulation, or “brain exercise”. This is relevant at all ages, and we are encouraged to see organizations such as Civic Ventures and Elderhostel that offer opportunities for baby boomers and older adults who want to maintain active minds.

Try picturing in your mind, as you read this, all her different brain areas that are getting needed stimulation through her Namibia experience.

UPDATE: my friend just wrote to expand on the “be mindful” angle by saying that “it definitely requires purposeful processing of the information that you are consuming in order to make it a useful brain exercise. For example, I always try to journal or write thoughtful emails about my experience in order to try to best understand it.” Great point.

With her permission, here you have: 

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Dear Friends,

I am just returning from Namibia and am buzzing with excitement about all of the opportunities for us to make an impact there when we return with our students next Spring.

Namibia is very different than I expected. It was the last country in Africa to gain independence from colonialism, gaining independence just 20 years ago. Thus, it is much more developed than any African country that I have visited, with relatively good infrastructure and no exis ting debt. That said, the legacies of apartheid can still be felt in today’s society, and the people are very clearly dealing constantly with issues of race and identity. One of the most interesting experiences that I had was attending a “braai” (the Namibian version of a barbecue which basically consists of Read the rest of this entry »

2 great blog carnivals (selected collections of blog posts), hot from the oven:

Grand rounds: Health and Medicine

Encephalon: Neuroscience and Psychology

Some good links today:

1) Keep Your Brain Nimble as You Age
MSNBC – May 13, 2007
“If using your computer as a mental gym sounds good to you, SharpBrains.com’s Fernandez suggests asking a few questions first to determine a product’s…”

2) Great blog by Stanford Business School’s Jackson library, including an announcement of an upcoming lecture there by our very own Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg and Alvaro Fernandez Pumping I.Q., not Iron

3) Some blog carnivals (collections of blog posts around specific topics)

• Careers in Middle Age and Baby Boomers
• Work At Home Moms and Dads
• Education
  Read the rest of this entry »

Here are some of the blog carnivals (collections of blog posts around specific topics) where we have added our Brain Fitness perspective during the last few days:

Health Wonk Review

Education

Brain Blogging Read the rest of this entry »

Some good collections of articles in the blogosphere, if you are interested in these topics.
Neuroscience and Psychology (Encephalon)

Blogging Boomer

Job Search

Top 10 List

Towards Better Life

Economics and Social Policy

PZ Myers, the VV Cephei of science blogging, is 50 years old today. If you are interested in biology and evolution, give him the birthday present of a visit to Pharyngula!

If you are wondering what VV Cephei means, and how poor mortals view PZ…please enjoy this short clip.

(Thanks to Michelle for the lead to the video)