The University of Missouri Extension in Butler County is offering a Boost Your Brain & Memory: Brain Fitness Class.
Just as general physical health can be controlled and improved with good habits, so too can the health of the brain -- boosting memory and mental agility, as well as reducing risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease or other dementias.
Although research is finding links between genes and one's risk of Alzheimer's disease, the exact cause is more likely a combination of genetics and other factors. Practicing good brain health at any age can help stave off the disease, as well as build up cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve is a term describing the brain's resilience toward damage.
The good news is that brains are able to continue forming new neural connections throughout one's life cycle. (This is called neuroplasticity.) In other words, no matter what age, brain health can improve as the internal structure of its neurons changes and as the number of synapses between neurons increases. Both of these phenomena can trigger change in behavior, environment, and learning.
Brain health can be improved by by focusing on healthy habits in six areas: heart health, nutrition, physical activity, social engagement, cognitive engagement, and stress management.
The class uses a whole-person approach that helps you form new habits to live a healthier lifestyle, remember things better, be more organized, pay closer attention and regulate emotions. Each participant will receive a workbook including memory exercises, tips on nutrition and exercise, and summaries of evidence-based research on brain health. The class's aim is to help participants implement new habits to maintain cognitive health while also practicing new skills for better memory.
The workshop will meet on four consecutive weeks twice a week at the Extension Center located at 614 Lindsay Ave, Suite 3 in Poplar Bluff. To register, call the University of Missouri Extension Office at 573-686-8064. A $35 registration fee is required at registration. A class will be scheduled once 10 people have registered to a maximum of 15 people per class. On the web: extension.missouri.edu/butler.