Wellbeing > Mental Health
Mental Health
As our bodies age, our mind and our brain also ages and changes. These changes usually occur so slowly that you may not notice them. Brain tissue is very complex and has a limited capacity to repair itself – much less than skin or bone, for example. However, brain function can be worked on, and may be maintained or even improved into our later years.
Cognitive function
As we age there is a gradual degeneration in the neural connections that transport messages around the brain. This results in slower and less sensitive thought processes. Specific areas of the brain age quicker than others, so problems with balance and memory often become apparent before issues with speech and intellectual processing. It also becomes harder to filter out unnecessary extra information from the important stuff, so multi-tasking can become more difficult.
These are all normal age-related changes to brain functioning and are not in themselves a disease. When these changes occur prematurely or become very severe, a medical diagnosis may be made (eg. dementia).
To minimise the loss of cognitive function it is important to stay physically and mentally active. Engage in activities that you find challenging, or find something new to try. Learn a language or a musical instrument! Join a dance class! Learn how to cook a new cuisine! Many activities are beneficial, particularly tasks that use lateral thinking and problem solving. This is especially important following retirement, which often marks a rapid decline in mental stimulation and learning.
Mood
Our mood and emotions are controlled to a significant degree by the chemical and electrical activity within our brain. As we age this activity alters, and our brain produces less of certain helpful chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine. This can result in higher rates of depression and anxiety as we age.
It is beyond the scope of this website to offer comprehensive advice about this complex subject. Please speak to your doctor if have concerns about your mood. It is worth mentioning that the scientific research consistently shows that the most effective treatment and preventative for depression is regular physical activity.
Pain
Our brain is also in charge of releasing various chemicals to control or regulate pain. As we age, our brain becomes less effective at producing these chemicals, increasing the risk of severe and persistent pain. A younger brain is also better at distracting us from the pain! These changes mean that our pain is less likely to relate directly to the severity of the injury. Instead, it is influenced by the way our brain is processing that injury. There are lots of things we can do to manage long term pain better.
Exercise for Improving Mental Health
Type:
Resistance Exercise (lifting weights)
Aerobic Exercise
Green Exercise - exercise in the presence of nature
Amount:
Moderate to high intensity, 30-60 minutes on most days