I am concerned about keeping my brain in good working order for as long as I may need it. I've had the small strokes that don't interfere much with my over-all functioning, but I'm doing what I can to maintain things the way they're supposed to work. A friend suggested I try "Lumosity," a brain training program for memory, problem solving, etc. on the internet. O.K. I'm all signed up.
Some of the games are very demanding, and I get very frustrated with them. Some are more like play, but presumably, they use brain areas that help me keep focus and stay sharp. Whether I really believe that is still to be decided.
My friend suggested it after I had the stroke. She is a smart lady and keeps her mind sharp by giving tests, grading papers, reading academic journals and generally participating in a very active intellectual life. She does engage in the games provided by Lumosity, but I think her brain is active in more demanding pursuits. Sometimes I set higher standards for myself, too. Sometimes I read a little Latin or memorize a new poem. Recently I began a casual reading of Dylan Thomas and T. S. Eliot. I was inspired by Thomas's "Go Not Gentle into that Good Night." Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats was a delightful journey into the world of catdom. With the wisdom of Eliot, it is easy to revel in the joy of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats," much of which translates well to people.
Most of the games I play are along the lines of Solitaire or Mahjong. All of these are better than the endless mind-numbing re-runs on daytime TV. Since I have little else to do, I feel guilty that I am not making my way through the shelves of books in my house. Well, I do read one now and then. Keep the brain active, conventional wisdom says. If you don't use it, you'll lose it. Guess what? Even if you do use it, you'll still lose it. That's the Second Law* rearing it's ugly head.
* Second Law of Thermodynamics' states that matter is continually moving from a state of order to a state of disorder. My grandmother said "The world is going to hell in a hand basket." Enjoy it while it lasts.
Some of the games are very demanding, and I get very frustrated with them. Some are more like play, but presumably, they use brain areas that help me keep focus and stay sharp. Whether I really believe that is still to be decided.
My friend suggested it after I had the stroke. She is a smart lady and keeps her mind sharp by giving tests, grading papers, reading academic journals and generally participating in a very active intellectual life. She does engage in the games provided by Lumosity, but I think her brain is active in more demanding pursuits. Sometimes I set higher standards for myself, too. Sometimes I read a little Latin or memorize a new poem. Recently I began a casual reading of Dylan Thomas and T. S. Eliot. I was inspired by Thomas's "Go Not Gentle into that Good Night." Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats was a delightful journey into the world of catdom. With the wisdom of Eliot, it is easy to revel in the joy of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats," much of which translates well to people.
Most of the games I play are along the lines of Solitaire or Mahjong. All of these are better than the endless mind-numbing re-runs on daytime TV. Since I have little else to do, I feel guilty that I am not making my way through the shelves of books in my house. Well, I do read one now and then. Keep the brain active, conventional wisdom says. If you don't use it, you'll lose it. Guess what? Even if you do use it, you'll still lose it. That's the Second Law* rearing it's ugly head.
* Second Law of Thermodynamics' states that matter is continually moving from a state of order to a state of disorder. My grandmother said "The world is going to hell in a hand basket." Enjoy it while it lasts.
