Use it or lose it. How many times have you heard that timeworn
principle of healthy brain aging? Scientists say that living a
mentally active life is as important as regular physical
exercise. Just as your muscles grow stronger with use, mental
exercise keeps your mental skills and memory in tone. But what
kind of exercise is best for the brain? As with physical
exercise, are certain kinds of “brain work” more effective than
others? For some insight, we spoke to Dr. Anne Fabiny, chief of
geriatrics at Cambridge Health Alliance and an assistant
professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Any brain
exercise is better than being a total mental couch potato. But
the activities with the most impact are those that require you
to work beyond what’s easy and comfortable – just as in physical
weight lifting. Playing endless rounds of solitaire and watching
the latest documentary marathon on the History Channel may not
be enough. “If it’s too easy,” Fabiny says, “it’s not helping
you.” Be a lifelong learner You sp