Improve Your Mind as You Age - Book Giveaway!

We are giving away a copy of Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age by Michael J. Gelb and Kelly Howell. Check out this article from Michael J. Gelb and leave a comment for your chance to win the book!

I’ve been teaching people to improve their minds as they get older since the beginning of my career. I led my first seminar on the subject back in 1978 when I was just 26 years old. Well, I’m approaching 60, and now, it’s SERIOUS! When I first started leading seminars I was usually the youngest person in the room, and now I’m almost always the oldest.

Although I’m blessed with abundant energy and passion for my work, I also experience the challenges of aging. For example, a few years ago my right hip began to hurt. Despite my positive attitude and holistic health practices, (and my access to many world class complementary medicine practitioners and energy healers) my hip joint continued to degrade. Thanks to the brilliance of contemporary medical technology I was able to get a new hip joint. Then, my right knee started to break down. Recently I had total knee replacement surgery. The recovery has been difficult but I’m making progress and hope to be up and running (literally!) soon.

It’s clear that some of our parts, like hips and knees, do wear out with use. The good news, however, is that the brain isn’t one of those parts. Indeed, the brain is designed to IMPROVE with use. So what’s the best way to use it to ensure improvement?

This is the intention behind my new book, Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age to explain, in clear and accessible terms, the research-validated, practical things that you can do, or stop doing, to improve your mind every year of your life. The book is based on the confluence of timeless wisdom, practical experience, and the latest research. Contemporary science has established that you can improve your mind as you age, and you can begin that process of improvement now.

Start by embracing a positive, optimistic, attitude toward aging. According to Becca Levy, PhD individuals with a positive attitude outlive those with a pessimistic approach by an average of more than 7 years! Find a guiding purpose for your life and cultivate gratitude, forgiveness, and humor. Continuous learning is the true fountain of youth, so learn something new every day and embrace fresh challenges. Much of what passes for senility and memory loss over the years is a function of the depletion of the supply of oxygen to the brain, so oxygenate your brain and sharpen your wits by creating an approach to exercise that you enjoy, and practice the simple principles of healthy eating. Surround yourself with beauty and a positive, multi-sensory, stimulus-rich environment. Invest in your social wealth, and practice meditation daily. Brain Power includes a free link to the brain wave synchronization technology developed by my co-author Kelly Howell. This free audio download will help you train your brain to effortlessly create the brain waves associated with deep meditation.

Imagine the wonderful new world that would emerge if a critical mass of people applied these simple principles. And imagine the huge savings in health-care costs!

Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr penned one of the wisest statements ever made about aging, and life in general. His Serenity Prayer, adopted as a credo by AA and other groups, advises us to embrace:

The serenity to accept the things we cannot change; the courage to change the things we can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

Since most of us were raised with ideas about aging that are inaccurate, such as the faulty notions that our mental capacity is fixed at age five and that our brain cells degrade yearly after the age of 30 — we tend to underestimate what we can realistically change. The Serenity Prayer reveals the secret of aging gracefully and intelligently –serenely accept and embrace the transitory nature of life and the increasing vulnerabilities that present themselves over time –while wisely and courageously cultivating the vast possibilities of mind, body and spirit.

Next: 10 tips to improve your mind as you age

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Peggy G.

6:44PM PDT on Mar 13, 2012

I have had brain injuries and my brain does not work as well as it used to. I would like to read this book to improve the functioning of my brain. I have two parents with dementia also & I would like to see how to keep their brain functioning as long as possible

send a green star

Merle M.

5:01PM PST on Mar 3, 2012

The wisdom of the ages. Lovely, practical advice that could benefit me. Thank you! I look forward to reading your book.

Pearl C.

11:59AM PST on Feb 29, 2012

This is exactly what I need now

Past Member .

6:24PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

I'm heading toward 70 and I love being who I am, a happy, healthy old lady. Every stage in life has it's benefits. LORD, I'm coming home. Just keep holding my hand. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. His miracles still flow ..............

With Care2. We are continuously learning new things. We have causes worth fighting for with friends at our side. We are giving, giving, giving,of ourselves, our time, our energy, our caring. The experts say that is GOOD!!!

We are making a difference TOGETHER with how many zillion members now? ROFLOL

I'm positively speaking keeping Z out of Al ( )heimer's.

When Care2 TECH deleted all my friends,that was a challenge! Note: if you were my friend but didn't receive a re-invite to be friends and return it, to me..............Care2 TECH says we are NOT friends.

My memory's not that great. I went through long, long lists trying to find you. If you think we're friends, and you have not sent me the friend invite from your end, even though I sent you the friend invite from my end, Care2 thinks we ARE NOT friends.

If you don't want to renew our friendship, it's ok.

Marie Therese H.

12:12PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

Just started my seventies. Need all the help I can get!
If I don't win this book, I will try to find it on the net and order it.

Jane W.

10:05AM PST on Feb 14, 2012

Thought it was just me slowing down, not a known effect of aging.
Good tips in this article - I hope to read more!

Jayne B.

4:43PM PST on Feb 12, 2012

Thanks for sharing such valuable suggestions for all of us!

Glenn B.

7:27AM PST on Feb 11, 2012

you've provided such simple yet important tips
I'm constantly amazed by the negativity that surrounds so many people - the gratitude journal is a wonderful suggestion

Donna C.

10:57AM PST on Feb 8, 2012

I read your article with great interest. I think your book would be a great read and very helpful. I'm on my way to a healthier life. Thanks for the info.

Edith B.

7:24PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Great pointers to add to my daily list - especially gratitude! Thanks for what promises to be a great resource of a book.