Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Everyone is forgetful but as we age we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit—and that can be a very annoying thing.   66     Read on for some techniques worth trying.

1.   67    

People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease ( 早老性痴呆症 ) according to a recent study.    68   Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In other words keep your brain looking forward.

2. Go for a walk.

Mildly raised glucose ( 葡萄糖 ) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain.    69    

3. Learn something new.

Take a Spanish class online join a drawing club or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation ( 刺激 ) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time.    70     Or go dancing with your friends.

A. In other words when you take care of your body you take care of your brain.

B.This can be especially harmful to the aged.

C.It should be something like learning gardening.

D.Luckily research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.

E.But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life-changing events.

F So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.

G. Focus on the future.