| Use it or lose it! Mental exercises for Alzheimer's | | | | computer. |
| are not only a powerful preventative measure, | | | | - Keep learning! If you're still working then |
| they can tone and build the brain and memory of | | | | continuing education not only helps keep |
| an Alzheimer's sufferer the way physical exercise | | | | Alzheimer's at bay, it's a good way to keep at |
| tones and builds the body. | | | | the top in your job or profession. |
| Mental exercises can slow down, halt, or even | | | | - Learning new computer programs can be good |
| help to reverse the early signs of Alzheimer's | | | | mental exercise, and there lots to choose from. |
| disease (AD). Unfortunately, normal day to day | | | | Go to your favorite computer store and check |
| living usually doesn't give the neuron sharpening | | | | out the titles. You could learn a photo editing |
| exercise you need. | | | | program and turn your snapshots into |
| The good news is that you're never too old to | | | | masterpieces, or get a genealogy program and |
| start boosting your brainpower, and it can be fun. | | | | research your family tree for example. |
| The fact that mental exercises can bolster your | | | | - Learn a challenging computer game. Once again |
| brain has even been discovered by the press. The | | | | there are lots to try out. You can become an |
| Daily Mail in England reports that volunteers aged | | | | entrepreneur running your own virtual reality |
| 65 and over who did just ten hours of training | | | | railway, airline, zoo or much more. You can learn |
| their memory, problem solving and reaction times | | | | to fly with a flight simulator and fly almost |
| had mental abilities similar to people seven to | | | | anywhere in the world right in your own lounge |
| fourteen years younger who hadn't done such | | | | room. You can battle anything from the ancient |
| exercises. | | | | Romans to intergalactic warriors. There are lots |
| Studies show that staying mentally active can | | | | of online games too, where you can compete |
| slash the chance of getting Alzheimer's by fifty | | | | against other players anywhere in the world any |
| percent. Even the schoolwork that you did when | | | | time of the night or day. |
| you were young has an effect. A study carried | | | | - Build your own website. Share your hobbies, |
| out in China showed that those with no schooling | | | | interests or expertise with the rest of the world. |
| were five times more likely to get Alzheimer's | | | | You can even make money with this one. Click on |
| disease than those who graduated from high | | | | over to my website and I'll tell you the best place |
| school. A Swedish study showed that those with | | | | to get started, even for complete website building |
| schooling below grade eight were two and a half | | | | newbies. |
| times more likely to get AD. | | | | - Do a course. Have you ever wanted to learn |
| So just what sort of mental exercises tunes up | | | | something but just haven't done it yet? It could |
| the brain and gets it firing on all cylinders? | | | | be photography, cooking or advanced calculus. |
| Luckily you don't have to do the mental equivalent | | | | Academic courses will really get your brain |
| of sit-ups and push-ups. Mental exercises for | | | | working. You'll feel as though you're cleaning all the |
| Alzheimer's can be fun and enjoyable. You can | | | | rust off your brain, bit by bit getting it operating |
| even play games to fire up the neurons. Here are | | | | more freely until finally it's running smoothly again. |
| some ideas to get you started. | | | | - Here's something to do less of. Don't watch too |
| - Playing cards is good mental exercise, and bridge | | | | much television unless it's something mentally |
| is often touted as an exceptionally good card | | | | stimulating. Passively watching sitcoms and soapies |
| game to get you thinking. | | | | dulls the brain you're trying to sharpen. |
| - Sudoku is a Japanese number game that takes | | | | Mental exercises can make a big difference to |
| concentration. The local newspaper will often have | | | | your life, whether you're trying to prevent |
| a game of Sudoku in it near the crossword | | | | Alzheimer's or already have it. You can gain years |
| puzzle, and books of games are easy to find in | | | | of life that could otherwise be lost. Get started |
| shops. | | | | now, and keep challenging your brain. It's worth |
| - Scrabble, crossword puzzles and jigsaws are all | | | | the effort. And remember that there are a lot |
| good for the grey matter. | | | | more things you can do to fight this terrible |
| - The solitaire games of FreeCell and Spider are | | | | disease. |
| good too, and you can play them on your | | | | |