The Best Ways to Keep Your Mind Young

You might feel like your thinking has been getting a bit slower and foggier as you get older, and that eventually happens to everybody. But how can we keep our minds young?

Hosted by: Brit Garner
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Dooblydoo thanks go to the following Patreon supporters: Alex Schuerch, Alex Hackman, Andrew Finley Brenan, Sam Lutfi, D.A. Noe, الخليفي سلطان, Piya Shedden, KatieMarie Magnone, Scott Satovsky Jr, Charles Southerland, Patrick D. Ashmore, charles george, Kevin Bealer, Chris Peters
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[chiefsampson]

I very rarely comment, but I just wanted to take a moment to say how much of a pleasure it is to watch Brit host these videos. Not only are the topics well thought out by the team producing these videos as far as hosts go she is excellent at delivering the information. Keep up the good work :)

[stoffers]

Exercise and friends. I'm screwed.

[NewMessage]

I'm in Canada.. Come February, all my fluid thinking crystallizes.

[rea]

Forever young, I want to be forever young. And according to people I see around me physical activity and reading is a good starting point.

[angelic]

Something that really helps with retaining brain plasticity(what she calls "fluidity"), is learning a new language after 40. Its a lot harder than when you where younger, but that's what makes it more rewarding in terms of maintaining an open mind to new ideas and learning new things. It forces your brain to change and become more malleable(plastic). Language being especially good in this regard. Along with music instruments and math.

[ArtFreak]

My understanding of the whole "use it or lose it" angle is really the most useful if the skills you want your brain to chew on indefinitely are ones where there will be no personally feasible ceiling. Like...

- learning to draw/paint (understanding principles, honing observational skills, and getting better at using the tools of your medium, experimenting with different styles/genres/subjects)
- learning to write or improve on your writing skills (specifically for recreation/learning, but can be more broadly applicable/useful, such as writing business letters etc.)
- learning a craft (for example sewing entails learning different stitching techniques, how materials interact, geometry, color theory, and how to use tools like sewing machines and sergers)
- learning a language (including programming languages - you will always find out more vocabulary/mechanics/nuances in every language)
- learning computer literacy (how to get better at using various computer applications, learning shortcuts, and how to quickly find what you need to know/use)
- a field of study (even if things get really granular - it's always going to be a "tip of the iceberg" sort of deal; there's a virtue in trying to get interdisciplinary though!)

Just to name /just/ a few. (And yes, fitness is also something that has this element to it too. Learning better form, different training styles/techniques, and how it all benefits you are areas you will learn more about as you go.)

[RangerRuby]

SciShow Psych: answering the age old questions we have all had in an easy to understand format. All the nerds watching thank you!

[libbybkul]

Since I don't have the money to be a supporter on patreon, I just make sure to watch all the ads all the way through

[nicolaiveliki]

Watching SciShow helps keep my mind young. I'm constantly assimilating new information and reorganizing models in my mind :-)

[SirNeutral]

Noooo I'm egghh... but that sweater brought me back, my goodness. Oh Chemist Tree!

[Asmodee]

Im radiologist, I see CT scans of dozens of adults every day. Want to keep your brain ? Literally, because cortical atrophy can shrink it quite horribly. 1 - dont drink alcohol, ANY alcohol. 2 - dont smoke. 3 - dont do drugs. 4 - cut simple sugars and excess of fats, keep normal BMI. 5 - keep exercising, low volumes, but consistently every day. 6 - keep your mind active every day, learn new thing every day. 7 - intensivly socialize, again small volumes but often. I speak with patients so I can corelate their mental capabilities with their brain, and most people over 60 are fat, with aterosclerosis everywhere, they drink and smoke for years, and even in brief conversation it shows they are getting stupid, perfectly in correlation with their cortical atrophy. Sometimes I meet 90yo lady, that is on par mentally with someone 40yo, and they all abide by rules Ive written. Sooo good luck :)

[claraburns]

Okay but if I'm only 19 and my brain doesn't work now ... it just gets worse

[Neontronique]

I just love this host, Brit is amazing at her job.

[phantomstrider]

Nice to hear that social intelligence maintains well throughout older age. Perhaps that's part of why society coined terms like the "wise old man/woman."

[angelic]

There's something to be said for life experience. It shifts your perspective and generally(not always) makes you less egocentric.
When I was in my teens I thought I had a good grasp of some things... and then in my twenties, yea I saw a broader range of possibilities. Less idealized and more practical.
And now in my thirties I'm getting old enough to know my own pitfalls and gain some humility towards life.

[jamiehay]

*These SciShow channels need at least 5 million subs each!*

[Dead_Shoulders]

What did the librarian tell the kid?



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[achatinaslak]

I love that elementary christmas tree! And thanks a lot for the interesting information.

[saumyashah]

That chemistry Christmas tree is so nerdy!! I want one!

[jongall]

Active imagination. Even if people think I'm slightly off, I will always have a bizarre conversation with myself just to keep the brain thinking.