Getting older inevitably affects brain health. However, there are strategies that we can apply on a daily basis to counteract the effects of cognitive deterioration associated with aging and even alterations caused by diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. To do this, we must work on the cognitive reserve, that is, the mental capital that we accumulate through educational experience and the stimulation of our mental abilities. The larger it is, the more resistant our neural network will be and, therefore, we will be able to delay cognitive deterioration.
Exercising cognitive reserve requires implementing some small changes in our routines and mental schemas. There are countless activities to maintain and reinforce brain activity, although it is advisable to opt for those that force us to make a certain cognitive effort, but that at the same time are interesting to prevent us from abandoning them. However, the variety of stimuli we receive is another important factor. According to the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, the brain and cognitive abilities work as a network, so to improve a specific ability such as memory, attention or perception must be trained together.
Next, we bring you some daily activities with which you can increase your cognitive reserve:
The effects of cognitive stimulation are unfortunately limited. These exercises cannot prevent neuronal aging, much less the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, maintaining a broad cognitive reserve can help us delay the effects of cognitive deterioration and, ultimately, improve our quality of life.
