ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: ppearl214 on February 02, 2007, 01:14:28 pm
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Hi all,
We get a monthly newsletter from my employer's heath care insurance broker and on the cover of this month's newsletter are tips for "Mind Games", so I thought I'd share (some of this you may know, some you may not):
"Mental 'exercise' causes the brain to make new nerve connections and can protect against Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. Good ways to give your brain a workout include:
1. Card games, crossword puzzles, and games that use a new way of problem solving. (comment: I'm kinda partial to Sudoku)
2. Hobbies that require memorizing and thinking, like learning a new language.
3. Use your non-dominant hand to do tasks. This makes your brain work harder and establish new memory pathways (comment: this, I had not heard before!)
4. Be open to new ideas and experiences
Source: Dr. David Gobble, Director of the Fisher Institue for Wellness and Gerontology at Ball State University"
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Thank you for that sound advice.
In one of my many lists I have included buying crossword puzzles.
I also sew, crochet (doilies and such), embrodier etc etc etc.
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I chase tourists around swingin' me cutlass and cursin'. Yuppies, too. Good excercise. Dr Love likes Sudoku, but I can't think straight enough after all the yellin'.
Capt Deb 8)
(actually, I like to make stuff--jewelry, knitting, etc. anything with a pattern to concentrate on)
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After I had this "virus" seven years before my An was discovered, I was left with some pretty awful vertigo probelms and then balance issues etc. for ages and ages. I was so worried about losing my "mind" especially since i knew something else was wrong but had no diagnosis, i began to play all sorts of games on my computer: a spy game against the clock demanding hand eye co-ordination; backgammon, chess, both online; drawing a phrase or word (isketch) online; plus a number of others all based on hand/eye/ thinking etc...
As for hobbies, i had so much time on my hands i HAD to resume some: painting, drawing, reading, writing, a few others too...
oops.. hit the wrong keyboard button and off it went before i finished this... ::)
Didn't think of using non-dominant hand arm except i did try carrying any grocery bags with it to get it back in fuller use.
As for new ideas and experciences, I think i had quite a few of those over the last 7-8 years, some of which were online classes, art classes at a nearby art gallery, a writing course or two if only to get back into it, (still struggling with that one due to dyslexic typing!); new international cooking ideas; some renos though others did the work lol; new people; and the list goes on...
now and then i admit i can get "down" but then i find a new interest and begin to pursue it... makes for some fun in life too.
i still find I have memory problems though.... ;D
W.
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For me, playing a musical instrument (guitar) uses a totally different part of the brain than normal, works the hand coordination, and relieves stress.
Regards,
Rob
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haven't tried my "focus skills" for knitting/crocheting since my diagnosis and treatment.... miss doing it... need to start it again. Anyone else try knitting/crocheting/needlework since treatment? you do well with it?
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Hi, I have been resumed my hand and machine sewing (some very tiny piecing) since surgery. Actually I started doing this at 6 months post op. I have found great peace and quiet practicing my fine motor skills at the machine. I am having no problems with it, but my time at the machine is shorter now. I get neck cramps and my concentration wanes quicker than pre op. I am thinking I'll go back to drawing and painting.
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I've done a bit of knitting since my surgery when I have time. I seem to get plenty of mind challenging activities from the planning I do for teaching, both students and adults. I am also partial to sudoku puzzles. I read a lot too.
Jean
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I haven't tried quilting again yet, but I have done crochet and cross-stitch since my surgery. No difference that I can tell (once I acclimated to the partially numb fingers...)
Katie
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Kathleen (gennysmom) gave me a good idea. If anyone has the nintendo ds they have a great brain game. I checked it out it's pretty cool. :)