Current research now indicates that is not exactly the case. If we attempt things that mentally challenge us (and cross word puzzles don’t count) then the brain has the ability to grow new brain cells which allow us to remain mentally active and alive.
This is exciting news in that it lets us know that we can be involved and alert for years to come. But, it also means we have to attempt things that challenge us. Meaning, we have to get beyond the fear of failure and the natural tendency to keep doing things in the usual way. Put another way, even failed attempts are victories because you learn something along the way even if the original goal was not fulfilled.
Years ago I got into the habit of every now and then taking a different road on my way to a familiar place, just to see where the road would go. Sometimes I got lost but discovered something I did not know existed. Other times I found a different route I was not aware of (Alex always teases me that I am a secret taxi driver). But, on a number of occasions it has served me well. I remember being stuck in a traffic jam on I-25 in Denver. One of those “move a few inches every ten minutes” situations and it came to me that there was a service road at the next off ramp. I got off and watched those hundreds of people just sitting there, sticking to the only route they knew, fade into the distance. It saved so much time I was able to arrive home and watch the traffic jam on the news.
So ask yourself… when was the last time you tried something you thought was really challenging? For some of you who found this blog based on one particular post and now wait patiently for the latest update, when was the last time you went back and read some of the older posts just to see how this whole thing got started? When was the last time you decided to go in a different direction just to see how it would turn out?
Give it a try… you might gain some new brain cells!
I hate to admit it but I never went back to read some of the old posts. I just dropped in and started reading. Sometimes it takes so much energy to go another direction. I will try it though and get some new brain cells!
you do have a point about trying other things. it does make you think about how you can get stuck and the need to break out of a rut.