Although scientists are uncertain about the reasons behind dementia, they do know that it is caused by a lack of or blocked connections within the brain. For some reason they stop forming or even become destroyed which makes it difficult for information to be transported or processed. As a result, learning and remembering become incredibly difficult.

However, there is some research out there that suggests keeping the mind active can prevent the destruction of brain cells and the connections they create. Unfortunately, it is not 100% certain it will protect you. Nevertheless, it is your best defense against dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. By no means is loss of memory a normal part of aging. By keeping the mind spry you can create new brain cells and maintain their connections. Here are a few ways to do so!

1. Read and Write
   There is no better way to keep the mind active than continuously reading and writing. Plus, there are so many different activities you can do to achieve this. Perhaps you really enjoy world politics? Pick up a newspaper, scour an online blog, or pick up the latest biography on a US President. After you’re done reading one of those things on a topic you enjoy, make sure to keep a pen and notebook handy. Scribble some notes down about what you just read so it sticks in your mind. It’s a good activity to do for just 30 minutes a day. It’s kind of like exercise. Your brain is also a muscle that needs to be stretched and strengthened.
2. Puzzles
   Jigsaw, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles are all great means to exercise the brain. In fact, it’s good to try to do all three! The more variations you include in your brain games the more likely you are to keep the mind sharp. It’s like keeping your portfolio balanced when investing in the stock market. You’ll never be slumping in one area. Crossword puzzles help you maintain control over words and language, jigsaw puzzles help with special recognition, and Sudoku helps with numbers and recognition of patterns. These are all important items that add up to a keen wit.
3. Learn Something New
   Have you ever tried to learn Spanish? What about a musical instrument? It’s not a bad idea to try and pick it back up. By learning something new you’re creating fresh connections within the cells of your brain (neurons). This helps keep the brain poised to send information, as opposed to passively performing an activity such as watching TV. Yes, there are educational programs out there that present a lot of information. However, that simply deals with memory. The brains takes that information it just learned and compartmentalizes it into the storage area of the brain where it can be easily forgotten. When you’re performing a new activity or learning a new skill, the brain is legitimately growing. This concept is called neuroplasticity. Essentially what it means is that intelligence is not fixed, rather it’s forming and developing throughout our lives.
4. Attend a Class
   This goes hand in hand with number 3. By attending a class you’ll be learning something new as well as going out into social settings and interacting with new people. Socializing has a great effect on the brain. It helps keep us on our toes, especially if we’re interacting with new people. There are new social situations and varying conversations as opposed to the “How’s your day?” and “What’s new?” kind of conversations we have with people we see every day.

   If you’ve ever been interested in learning how to make pottery or become if you’re looking to become a better painter, now is a good time to try it out. No one said there’s an age restriction when it comes to taking classes. Plenty of communities offer painting classes, cooking classes, and many more!

5. Keep Learning
   There is no cap to learning. You don’t just stop when you finish school. We learn something new everyday, and this is your best defense against dementia like disease. Of course, you can’t just read for 10 hours a day and expect to have perfect mental health when you reach the age of 80. It requires diligent work on your part, as well as diet and exercise. However, if you keep up with your yearning for learning, daily walks, and healthy meals, there’s scientific evidence to back up your belief that you’re adding quality to your life in the later years.