SOFT WIRED - HOW THE NEW SCIENCE OF BRAIN PLASTICITY CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Michael Merzenich (2013)
 
Believe in ,aand follow these eight general brain fitness  rules 
 
  1. As you take on new activities and acquire new skills  and abilities deveople the habit of working on the level at which you make steady, measurable progress 
  2. Count every little indication of progress as success 
  3. Don’t forget to reward yourself, imn your mind …
  4. Try to work at a demanding level…
  5. find exercises that are inherently satisfying and rewarding…
  6. the best kind of exercises are those that encompass new learning and that demand you pay attention to what you see or hear or feel or smelland at the same time involve grander or more complex planning or performing challenges as you progress 
  7. try consciously to to improve whatever skill you’re tryong to advabce at speed 
  8. skills that have learning progressions that can never be completely mastered are always a good bet 


 HOW TO INCREASE YOUR BRAINABILITY AND REDUCE YOUR RISK OF DEMENTIA

​www.amazon.co.uk/Increase-Your-Brainability-Reduce-Dementia/dp/1472964357

In requesting that you promote reading Brainability, we, as authors, want you to know that we had the following non-financial goals in doing the research and writing this book.
  • As scientists, we the authors, should communicate that there is now much better understanding of what happens as we live longer and much stronger evidence not only about what we can do to increase the ability of the brain and mind, what ever your age.
  • Confusion that exists in the minds of many people, including many members of the medical profession, about the relationship between dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and normal aging needs to be fixed.
  • Public awareness and understanding about dementia should be at the same level as the public’s awareness and understanding, for example, as there is with the importance of pre-natal care and why smoking should be socially unacceptable. 
  • Brainaibilty presents information that is not only relevant and accurate information but also unbiased and nonjudgemental
  • Brainability aims to be culturally competent by taking into consideration the differing educational levels of readers.
  • Brainabilty aims to be accessible in terms of location, language and format
  • Brainabilty is actionable by providing resources and instruction that allow people to act on the advice given
  • We aim to make Brainabilty available to as many people who need this information as possible
  • Brainabilty is balanced in recognizing both risks and benefits.
 
Here are the contents 

  1. GROWING OLDER IS AN AGE OF OPPORTUNITY   
 
  • The shift from negative to positive 
  • Our definitions
  • Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Vascular dementia
  • As you live longer changes take place but dementia is not accelerated ageing
  • Time to use your assets – preserving and increasing your Brain Reserve
  • Reducing your risk of dementia 
2.THE AIM OF THE BOOK
  • How preventable is dementia?
  • The modern environment causes modern epidemics
  • You are not alone
  • Advice based on evidence and experience
 
3.WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
  • Everyone is affected by Ageing
  • Almost everyone is affected by loss of Fitness
  • Many people develop disease, often preventable
  • Many people acquire wrong Beliefs and negative Attitudes
  • Planning Your Brainability Improvement Programme
  • The Triple Whammy Brainability programme
 
4. KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY AND INCREASE BRAIN PLASTICITY  
  • Reduce the Impact of Stress
  • Sleep better
  • Get More Active and Physically Fitter
  • Be wary of over medication
 
5. INCREASE THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE BRAIN
  • Stop smoking
  • Keep your blood pressure low
  • Keep your weight down
  • Find out if you have atrial fibrillation and get it treated
  • If you have had a Transient Ischaemic Attack – a TIA – take action
  • Rebalance your Diet
  • Keep your sugar low
  • Keep your cholesterol low

​6. INCREASE THE ABILITY OF YOUR MIND TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE AND IDEAS  
  • Increase intellectual activity
  • Get Even More Active and Involved to avoid isolation and depression
  • Check your hearing and vision.
 
7. THE FUTURE OF BRAINABILITY