The St. Johns County Council on Aging has just started a Monday morning power-lifting program for your brain that could turn you into a lean, mean thinking machine!
Think about it
Start with food. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Healthy eating habits can play a role in warding off a multitude of ills, including Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Eating wisely and well can also boost brain activity and enhance memory capacity and concentration capabilities.
However, it’s not just what we eat, but when we eat, that makes the difference — at least as far as boosting your brain power goes!
"There are countless studies that show the importance of breakfast. Starting your day with smart food choices helps to ensure that you’ll continue to make smart choices – not just daily, but throughout your life!" said Paula Rives, morning program coordinator for the Council on Aging.
Who benefits from a brawny brain?
"Everyone from school age children to elders will benefit from this type of strength training," said Rives. "So now, every Monday at the Coastal Community Center you’ll find healthy and brain-bettering breakfast choices … power-packed proteins, fabulous fruits and good-for-you-whole-grains."
"Then," Rivas adds, visitors can participate in an activity like Brain Gym, Mah Jongg or Mind Matters to spark those nutritionally charged neurons.
St. Johns County Council on Aging community volunteer Paul Moore facilitates Brain Gym, which he describes as an activity that utilizes patterned physical movement to stimulate brain activity. For example, massaging the temples has proven to increase blood flow to the brain and there are additional exercises geared to have similar positive effects.
If a mind game is more to your liking, the popular tile game of "Mah Jongg" comes with some pretty impressive credentials. A study published in the "International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry" states, "Mah Jongg produced consistent gains across all cognitive performance measures, regardless of consistency of playing."
Mah Jongg games at the St. Johns County Council on Aging will be facilitated by Marcia Ferrell while Barbara Allen will head up "Mind Matters", incorporating ideas and information from the nationally recognized "Breakfast For Your Brain" program.
For more information about the brain-boosting Monday morning program at the St. Johns County Council on Aging’s Coastal Community Center, call Paula Rives at (904) 209-3643 or visit www.stjohnscoa.com
