There is increasing evidence that the lifestyle choices we make can have significant impact on our cognition and brain health as we grow older. The key is making smart lifestyle choices. This means our heredity or genetics is not necessarily our fate when it comes to healthy brain function throughout life. We have a measure of control over our own brain health as we make choices that preserve and optimize cognitive function.
The SilverSneakers Pillars of Brain Health is an all-inclusive approach to improving cognitive function. Lifestyle choices such as regular physical exercise, cognitive (mental) exercise, staying socially engaged, eating a balanced diet, getting quality sleep and working to reduce stress are just some examples of actions we can take to boost brain health. The more each of the Pillars is prioritized in daily life, the longer and stronger the brain will continue to work at its peak. Thus, slowing or even reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
It is important that we maintain and preserve healthy brain function, and we can do this by living a brain-healthy lifestyle. The lifestyle choices we make today can lead to a healthier brain tomorrow.
This course will focus on three Pillars – physical exercise, cognitive (mental) exercise and social engagement. Physical activity and engagement go hand-in-hand in a group exercise setting. The more interested and engaged a participant is during physical activity, the more likely they are to continue to be active. Additionally, this course explores the use of cognitive training (dual tasking and task switching) in your existing SilverSneakers classes.
"The brain responds much like muscles do, growing with use, withering with inactivity."