The decline of our biological age affects our brain cognitive skills:
- Brain processing speed
- Brain processing accuracy
- Stimulation of neuromodulators that produce chemicals that enhance focus, attention and memory

The brain is actually part of the physical body, and it has very important physical needs. The brain is also nourished by the blood that comes in through the arteries, pumped by the heart. The blood carries the nutrients and oxygen that the brain cells need to burn for fuel. To keep your brain sharp, not only does it help to eat right - you also need to get your body moving!

- Exercise improves the oxygenation of the blood.
- Exercise helps lower blood pressure.
- Exercise improves circulation of blood within the brain.
- Exercise counteracts the damaging effects of long-term stress on the brain
- Exercise can boost the neurotransmitters dopamine and
norepinephrine, which not only affect mood, but also help “lock in” memories when they form.

Mind-Body Exercises: Another type of exercise that many people find very beneficial for their brains is some form of mind-body exercise. People who practice mind-body exercises regularly report they experience reduced stress, increased calmness, and greater clarity of thinking.

- Yoga, Tai-Chi and Movement-Meditation are forms of mind-body exercises, which are defined as "physical exercise executed with a profound inwardly-directed focus.”

- The mind-body connection means you can use your mind to influence some of your body’s physiological processes -- such as heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure and breathing rate -- to decrease physical and mental stress.

Click here to view photos of a group of elders at Byron House Assisted Living
participating in Mind-Body Exercises guided by Kathy J. Ward

Visualization Therapy: Creative visualization's theory posits a spiritual source: a supply of good healing energy, love, and wisdom discoverable in the inner beings of humans. Research over the last five years has documented the incredible effect of the imagination in the healing process.

During the program I invited the audience to test and experience a few minutes of visualization and meditation:

... hands on your laps, take a very deep breath and on the exhale imagine your self releasing all the tension, resent and frustration from the day. Imagine pure air and healing energy being taken into your body on the inhale. (Replacing negative energy with positive nurturing energy). Eventually imagine every negativity being pulled from your body.

Now turn your focus to your brain. As you inhale imagine your breath going into that tissue and filling it with energy and calmness. Concentrate as long as you can on this imagery, on healing all parts of your brain that perform a particular function. Imagine your healing energy can penetrate even the smallest atoms within the body and every organ contained inside. Smile and continue to breathe slowly and deeply until you feel your entire body resting and then slowly resume your activities.