Staying Sharp For Dummies

Insight and actionable information on keeping your brain sharp as you age Your brain controls who you are—how you think, feel, and act. As you age, it's not uncommon to want to remain as sharp and "with it" as you were in your younger years. Whether you want to hone your memory, manage stress and anxiety, or simply eat brain-healthy food, Staying Sharp For Dummies shows you how to keep your mind sharp, agile, and creative well into your golden years. Research shows anyone can improve brain performance—and it's never too late to make changes to achieve your optimal brain health. While brain exercises certainly help, it's also vital to promote healthier living as a holistic way to support brain health. Staying Sharp For Dummies explains how keeping physically fit, eating right, managing stress, and even connecting with others helps give your brain the boost it needs to stay sharp—well into your golden years. Build a better brain through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and brain workouts Cope with a specific brain disorder, such as stroke, Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Stay sharp and improve memory and concentration Access an online bonus chapter from Alzheimer's For Dummies and Dementia For Dummies If you or a loved one are looking for authoritative, accessible guidance on staying sharp, this essential guide endorsed by the American Geriatric Society and the American Geriatric Society Health in Aging Foundation covers the gamut of lifestyle and activity changes that can maximize brain function and health.

Introduction 1 Part 1: Getting Started with Staying Sharp 5 Chapter 1: Training Your Brain 7 Chapter 2: Improving Your Language Skills 23 Chapter 3: Sparking Your Creativity 31 Chapter 4: Recognizing Faces and Remembering Directions 41 Chapter 5: Getting a Handle on Brain Games 49 Chapter 6: Puzzles 63 Part 2: Boosting Your Memory 111 Chapter 7: Cultivating Your Memory Skills 113 Chapter 8: Discovering How Your Brain Remembers 127 Chapter 9: Memory Tricks and Tips 147 Chapter 10: Keeping Your Memory Sharp as You Grow Older 157 Chapter 11: Schooling Memory 171 Chapter 12: Honing Your Long-Term Memory 185 Chapter 13: Improving Your Short-Term Memory 197 Chapter 14: Keeping Your Memory Intact in a High-Speed World 209 Part 3: Managing Stress: Relaxing Mind and Body 221 Chapter 15: Understanding Stress 223 Chapter 16: Relaxing Your Body 257 Chapter 17: Stress-Reducing Organizational Skills 279 Chapter 18: Meditation 101 301 Part 4: Improving Your Lifestyle: Nutrition and Exercise 331 Chapter 19: Eating, Exercising, and Getting Your Zzzs 333 Chapter 20: Maintaining a Healthy Weight and Fitness Level 357 Chapter 21: Considering a Plant-Based Diet 381 Chapter 22: The Skinny on Superfoods 407 Part 5: Healthy Aging 431 Chapter 23: The Four Major Health Concerns as You Age 433 Chapter 24: Evaluating Your Health and History and Setting Goals for Wellness 477 Chapter 25: Stroke Risk Factors and Prevention 499 Chapter 26: Don’t Worry, Be Happy: The Keys to Maintaining Health and Vitality 531 Part 6: The Part of Tens 549 Chapter 27: Ten Ways to Make Your Home Safer as You Age 551 Chapter 28: Ten (Plus) Almost-Superfoods that Can Help Round Out Your Diet 559 Index 567