Welcome my friend! Today as we sip our cuppa’s & enjoy our treats we’ll be looking at these important numbers that directly relate to our brain health.
But before we begin, let’s grab our cuppa’s, a treat & get comfy.
Today I’m enjoying a mug of an ol’ favourite, Lady Grey & a slice of toasted gf Banna Bread with real creamy butter melting upon its deliciousness
Why is brain health so important?
With the increasing number of people developing dementia across the world, maintaining brain health is extremely important at any age.
I go into more detail in what we should be including in our lives to prevent dementia in my post;
But today we’ll be looking at a few simple things we can do daily, specifically that Researchers found very beneficial.
And these are related to the numbers above.
Journeying with Dementia
It’s a very difficult journey watching a loved One sink into Dementia, it’s a heartwrenching experience for both the patient & their loved ones.
Watching this disease strip away your loved One’s independence, personality & memories is beyond sad, it’s devastating.
To witness & deal with negative behavioural changes that were never a part of that loved One’s behaviour is emotionally overwhelming.
Dementia can be summed up as;
Progressive damage to the brain that there is no coming back from, unlike other Brain Injuries where the brain often creates new pathways around the injury, Dementia does not.
I’m not just talking as a Clinical Professional here in having walked alongside many families & their loved Ones with a Brain Injuries & Dementia. But I’m also talking from personal experience with my own loved Ones.
So what do these numbers mean?
Two, have 2 x 45 minute uninterrupted concentration sessions per day known as expansive thinking, this may mean writing, reading, working on a project, solving a problem or doing a task at work.
This fires up the brain & as Agatha Christie’s character Poirot would say, ‘gets the little grey cells working’ .
Five, have 5 x 5 minute brain rests over the day, this is where you can stop, make yourself a cuppa, look out the window & enjoy nature or just have a time of quiet contemplation as you sip (& not scroll or talk on your phone!).
This gives the brain a rest from tasks & having to concentrate.
Seven, 7 new things each day known as innovative thinking, this can include solving an old problem from a new perspective, doing a routine task in a different way or noticing new things in your environment.
This creates crucial new neural pathways & connections.
Real Life Practicality
When I heard about these simple measures while watching some recent brain studies, I thought I can easily fit those into my daily routine.
I saw that the Two is easily done, being a writer & blogger on a variety of subjects this is already a part of my day.
The Five breaks of contemplation with a cuppa, again is already a part of my daily routine, although I hadn’t realised it.
But the challenge for me is the Seven!
The observation of new things is easy, eg. a new flower appearing in the garden, hearing a new song heard from a migrating bird or seeing little holes in the back lawn, which I’ve noticed from a visiting native Bandicoot looking for lawn grubs overnight.
But a total of Seven new innovations…
Hmmmm!
So to help develop the Seven I have started a Journal specifically for ‘New Discoveries’ so to be mindful in finding or thinking of Seven innovations daily.
What does Innovative thinking entail?
That’s a very good question, the answer for me has been in creating new recipes to bake, thinking of new ways to do my hobbies.
An example is in crocheting the baby blanket for my great grandchild, due in the next few months, I’ve been developing new patterns as I go.
I’ve also been thinking of more innovative ways to save dollars with the cost of living going through the roof here in Australia.
I have included researching new, previously unknown facts about scripture.
You may remember in my post Digging for treasure that I find Archaeological digs fascinating.
And I’m still interested in the discoveries being uncovered by Archaeologists all the time.
Did you know that there were many archaeological finds last year supporting biblical events in scripture?
On one dig site in Israel, Archaeologists found 1,500 finely decorated Ivory artifacts from the First Temple period in the City of David that have signs of being crushed and burned from the Babylonian destruction of 586 BC. Ref
The ivory artifacts were the parts of a throne believed to be King Solomon’s throne, supporting the biblical account of 1 Kings 10:18 that Solomon;
“…made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.”
I find this fascinating…don’t you?
How will you work these numbers into your daily routine my friend?
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re also most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by David Cassolato on Pexels.com
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Love this post and these tips! 3 out of 6 of my dad’s sisters had Alzheimer’s and my mom had slight dementia when she passed away. I also already practice numbers 2 and 5 plus I always try to learn something new every day so I’m going to count that in the number 7 category 🙂 Thank you so much for this post and for sharing it with us at the Senior Salon Pit Stop party this week. I am so excited to be featuring it at the party tomorrow. Sharing on Facebook and pinned.
Hugs,
Maria @ kraftyplanner.com
Thank you Maria, that is an honour! ☺️
I’m was saddened to hear so many in your family had experienced Dementia but gladdened to hear you are taking care of your own brain health.
What a neat rubric! The 7 would be the hardest part for me too. Love this idea.
Thank you Lisa! 😊
Ooo, Lady Grey is my favorite!
I have not had any experiences to date with anyone close having dementia. These are interesting facts and tips. Like you I’m good with the first two but does reading interesting facts count? I love to learn facts about animals, nature, science, geography, medical, odd, bizarre, etc…
Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
I’ve noticed that my favourite brand of Lady Grey have just released a large box of French Lady Grey Paula! 😊
Yes, I’m sure reading interesting facts count, I think we need to incorporate innovative thinking in amongst the 7 though 😉
Ooo, I’ve never heard of French Lady Grey. I’m going to have to look that up.
Your post is most interesting and encouraging. Like you my husband & I already do #2 & 5. So I am challenged by #7 more than my husband (he is an engineer, always tinkering). Now I know to encourage his tinkering.
Thank you Carol!
My husband is similar with his innovative thinking in tinkering too.
But I’m having fun with the #7 challenge, I love a challenge! 😉
I watched two people I love decline with dementia. It is hard – and heart-breaking. I found myself wondering if the 5X5 could be a good 25 minute nap, which I think defeats the purpose, yet I can see how each five minutes is a brain restoration moment. Thank you for listing these exercises – I will be thinking about them during the week – and see how they impact my daily.
It is heartbreaking to watch our loved ones decline to this disease. My heart goes out to you, Maryleigh.
Yes, a nap would defeat the purpose of resting the brain while being awake during the day. 🤔
Thank you, Jennifer. That is good preventative encouragement for those of us who are growing old and find life more challenging. Bless you.
Bless you Heather! It’s important to use our brains so we don’t lose them 😉
Thank you, Jennifer for an interesting and helpful post. Like you, the 7 will take some work for me. But I will begin to make notes. Wishing you a wonderful day, my friend!
Thank you & you’re most welcome Pam. Your beautiful tablescapes take innovative thinking so you’re well on your way my friend! 🙂
You are always encouraging!
Doing things in a new way makes sense as a way to keep our brains active. Thanks for reminding me to do that. It is very easy to slip into a rut around routine taskx.
That it is Elizabeth! I have to remind myself all the time.
This is really interesting Jennifer! I’m going to give these a try!
I’m so glad Terri! Lovely having you drop by my friend ☺️
LOVE this post and these tips, Jennifer. Not unlike the “7” will be the one to especially attend to….not sure I manage that daily. Brain health tips for prevention are key. Prevention is always the best choice if we will make that choice to discipline ourselves to use those options. The older I get, the more I seek to take advantage of those. Have a blessed weekend!
In Him,
Pam
Thank you Pam, I’ve found the “7” far easier as I’ve noticed that little innovations come in the ordinary everyday routines of life. They’re actually easier then I first thought 😉
An example, can’t open a jar lid? Innovative thinking comes into play instead of asking hubby, I gently tap the lid with a spoon, still not opening?
Then run the hot water & place the jar under the hot tap water & then it comes off easily! ☺️ Yay!