KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG 3 Tips for Good Brain Health From Harvard Medical School
As we age, our bodies change, including our mental functions. Cognitive decline is one of the biggest fears of aging, but it’s not inevitable. Though we’re still learning new things about how our brains work, there’s a lot of scientific research that shows how to keep your brain young. If you want to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime, then follow this advice from Harvard Medical School. 1. GET A GOOD WORKOUT. Exercising regularly helps all the muscles and organs in your body, even your brain! A good workout can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels, which help your brain and your heart. Harvard Health Publishing, a website of Harvard Medical School, also notes that “animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.” 2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. Poor mental health can lead to impaired cognitive function. Chronic anxiety, depression, and
exhaustion tend to cause low scores on cognitive function tests. But test scores aren’t necessarily a sign of future cognitive decline, and Harvard Health Publishing urges readers to maintain good mental health and get restful sleep, as they are “certainly important goals” for improving cognitive function and overall well-being. 3. STAY CONNECTED. It’s not enough to focus on yourself. In order to maintain your long-term cognitive health, you should also focus on your connections with other people. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy.” Make new friends, stay in touch with family members, and maintain positive relationships in your life. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to your brain health. Do what you can today to protect your mental functions tomorrow.
SUMMER MOVIE PICKS Our Family’s Favorite Flicks
'TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD' The book is always better than the movie, but in this case, it’s very close. As a lawyer, I wish I could say that I read this book as a lad and was inspired to pursue the law, but I thank my wife for showing me this film. It is viewed in our home almost annually. My favorite scene: I have many, but Atticus Finch teaching Scout the golden rule on the porch are words to live by. 'THE PRINCESS BRIDE' Rob Reiner directed this film, which was released in 1987. It begins with a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading a fairy tale to his grandson (Fred Savage). It’s a hoot. Rumor has it that one Clatsop County family can recite the whole movie verbatim. My favorite scene: Billy Crystal playing Miracle Max is priceless. 'AKEELAH AND THE BEE' Akeelah is the “Rocky” of spelling bees, and one of the movie's stars, Laurence Fishburne, was so moved by the script that he agreed to be a producer as well. Young Akeelah finds herself thrust into the highly competitive spelling bee culture, all the while breaking down barriers, bringing her community together, and winning the respect of her greatest adversary. My favorite scene: It would be a spoiler.
Our family is all back together for the time being, so we’ve been enjoying each other’s company and getting together for an occasional movie night. We have our favorites, many of them well known, but here are a few others to consider. We all have our own tastes, so you may want to check out trailers or reviews on IMDb.com or some other review site before viewing — and to make sure the kids can watch! 'WAKING NED DEVINE' This is a sweet and funny film that was released in 1998. A lottery winner dies of shock, and his fellow villagers work to claim the winnings. Filmed on the Isle of Man, you may struggle a bit to pick up the dialogue, but closed captioning can help. My favorite scene: the eulogy. 'THE BLACK STALLION' Adapted from the 1941 book, this story tells the tale of young Alec Ramsey being saved by a black stallion when their ship sinks at sea and they are shipwrecked together on a faraway island. Alec and the horse return to Alec’s home, where they meet over-the-hill horse trainer Henry Daily (Mickey Rooney). The two team up to race the fastest horse in the world. This is a beautifully made film. My favorite scene: Henry Daily teaching young Alec how to ride.
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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