Brain Fitness Important for Good Health

To live a long and happy life, it's not enough to keep your body in good shape. It's also important to keep your mind sharp and active. Brain fitness is the new buzzword for the over 50 set. The market is awash with new software programs and games that claim to hone mental acuity and blunt the cognitive decline that can accompany aging. But mental game playing is just one facet of brain fitness, writes Mark Miller in his column Retire Smart. To maintain a challenged and stimulated brain, "you also need to get out of the house and stay active," asserts Nancy Merz Nordstrom, an expert on lifelong learning and director of the Elderhostel Institute Network which focuses on adult education across the country.

"It's as simple as use it or lose it," says Nordstrom. "If we want to do everything possible to keep our whole being alert, vibrant and connected as we age, we have to continue to challenge ourselves."

Research indicates that the act of learning causes the body to regenerate brain cells which enhances mental alertness, thought processes, response times and reflexes. Americans are embracing these new scientific discoveries. According to an AARP study, 95% of Americans who have passed the 50-year mark plan to participate in learning activities. The U.S. Department of Education reported that the number of older adults returning to the classroom doubled during the 1990s. "What we find is that people want to study the things they never had time for before," Nordstrom says. But classroom study isn't the only way to keep your brain fit. Educational travel and learning-oriented community service opportunities will also revitalize your brain cells.

If you're looking for an excellent guide to adult learning options, check out Nordstrom's book, Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years. You'll also find helpful information on Nordstrom's website and on the Elderhostel Learning Network website.