Did you know the brain is the most complicated miracle ever designed in the history of the universe? During the 2014 Model Schools Conference, Dr. Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D, ABPP, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Adjunct Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine and President, Brain Health Center, shared a number of ways to challenge your brain. Here are a few fun ways:
Write with your non-dominant hand. This requires you to use portions of the brain that are weak. By practicing writing with your non-dominant hand you are strengthening parts of the brain you rarely use.
Travel. Travel reduces the risk of dementia. When people travel to new places the brain is required to problem solve and create a new road map. When people travel the same course day-in and day-out the brain can use “cruise control” and is not required to do hard work.
Exercise. Exercise isn’t just for the heart. It also stimulates the brain. Dr. Paul Nussbaum explains, “In education there shouldn’t be chairs. We should be learning on treadmills and bikes, and teaching Shakespeare while doing the waltz!”
Remain involved. Do not retire—or if you do—maintain meaning by developing a hobby or networking and communicating with family and friends. Remember, just because you are ready to retire, doesn’t mean your brain is. According to Dr. Nussbaum, “Your brain doesn’t know how old it is, it just wants to me stimulated.”
As Dr. Paul Nussbaum concluded his presentation he challenged the audience to stimulate their brains with these three tasks:
1.) Sit in a different chair at the kitchen table.
2.) Sleep on the opposite side of the bed.
3.) Move the location of your trashcan.
Go ahead, give it a try. Warning, these habits are harder to break than you would think!
Read more on Model Schools Conference: How to be smart about curriculum development and Principles for Principals.
