Maria stared at the empty entry table – the place she always puts her keys. She struggled to back track and remember where else they might be. At 72, these small but frightening lapses have left her wondering: “Is this just aging, or the beginning of something worse?”
Maria’s not alone. Her fear is shared by many. But there is good news. Our brains have remarkable adaptability. Research shows we can maintain and even enhance our brain health throughout life. This becomes increasingly important as we age. And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools that can help support our brain health.
It is important to know the difference between brain and mind. You can think of your brain as biological hardware. The physical organ with billions of connected neural pathways. And you can think of your mind as the software. Software that runs your thoughts, emotions, and cognitive processes. Caring for your brain often focuses on nutrition and physical activity. As well as quality sleep and medical care. Activating your mind might involve cognitive challenges and stress management. It may also focus on our connection to others.
Brain and mind health influence one another through neuroplasticity. This is our brain’s ability to form new neural pathways based on our experiences, thoughts, and activities. It was thought that the adult brain did not have this adaptability. But we now know that is not true. Neuroplasticity works well into adulthood. It simply needs more intentional activation.
Several CBT tools can help to improve our neuroplasticity and brain health. Behavioral activation encourages scheduling meaningful activities. This can keep our minds sharp and improve our moods. It also contributes to improved neuroplasticity in our brains. Mindfulness practices and helpful sleep habits can improve attention and focus. They have also shown to support brain regions tied to memory.
As we age, these tools can offer many benefits. Simple practices like mindfulness, scheduling pleasant activities, and keeping sleep routines provide clear ways to support your brain health. With continued intention, we can actively maintain our brain health throughout our lives.
