Lost Debate How To Keep Your Brain Young
Mar 18, 2025
Tommy Wood, an assistant professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, shares expert insights on keeping our minds sharp as we age. He discusses the difference between fluid and crystallized intelligence and highlights how physical activity can boost cognitive resilience. Tommy emphasizes the surprising effects of quality sleep, social connections, and even dancing on brain health. He also argues that self-compassion is key for personal growth and stresses the importance of engaging in challenging activities to enhance mental capabilities.
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Cognitive Aging Is Not Uniform
- Cognitive decline varies greatly across individuals; averages often mislead us to think everyone declines similarly.
- Nearly 50% of people maintain stable reasoning ability into their 80s, defying common beliefs about aging brain function.
Maintain Heart and Brain Health
- Do maintain cardiovascular health through sleep, physical activity, and diet to reduce cognitive decline risk.
- Engage in complex environments and cognitively demanding tasks to help maintain and enhance brain function.
Exercise Boosts Brain Function
- Stay physically active as it benefits multiple cognitive functions and different brain parts.
- Because we lack good cognitive tracking methods, engage consistently in challenging mental activities for brain health.
