An easy way to keep your mind at a ripe old age

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 16:39

“Out of my mind”, “in insanity”, “got under way in my old age” … We often hear this. You won't wish that on anyone. Neither myself nor my parents. But what to do? Years go by! They take their toll … In this article - an easy way to maintain clear thinking to a ripe old age. And no, these are not pills or even crosswords.

In the photo - Viktor Korchnoi. He celebrates his 80th birthday with an international rating of 2,553. That's a lot.

I've been watching veteran chess players in real life for a long time. The majority are adequate, optimistic and keep sober thinking until old age. And they look younger than their age!

You have already guessed what kind of "eternal youth" of the brain I propose - CHESS!

Prevention of dementia

Older people who work their brains into old age maintain their mental clarity longer. This is easy to explain.

Especially now that we have learned that nerve cells CAN repair itself at any age.

Crosswords, game shows are all good, but …, which was attended by 488 elderly people, showed that mind games reduced the risk of illness by 75%, playing musical instruments by 64%, solving crossword puzzles by only 38%.

It's a pity that the TOP of the most stupefying activities is not indicated. Although here it is already clear - watching the TV garbage chute.

Here are a couple more quotes.

“The nature of Alzheimer's disease is similar to that of ordinary physical illnesses. For example, if you regularly tense a muscle, you are less prone to injury and disease in that area. If you exercise your brain regularly, then you are accordingly less prone to mental disorders like Alzheimer's. - says Professor Verghese.

Working with your head, you create new neural connections, and also stimulate your body to produce new nerve cells that replace cells damaged by the disease … Perhaps the day is not far off when doctors will prescribe regular chess practice along with proper nutrition and exercise.

Exercising the brain can be very beneficial.

“The elasticity of the brain is strongly associated with the production of new dendrites, tree-like neural processes that transmit nerve impulses in the brain. Every time you flex your brain, you actually modify it. - is talking.

For centuries we have been told that nerve cells do not regenerate, but it turns out that this is not the case.

When was the last time you turned on your brain to its fullest?

Sometimes you come out after a game all lather. The brain is boiling! Already pulsating - TUK-TUK-TUK.

You feel the blood is driving - be healthy! Spawned neural connections!

No work, even the most creative, gives such a boost!

Load your brain … in different ways

Why chess?

They load the brain with different types of activities, see:

• Planning and pattern recognition
• Improvisation
• Memory

Chess is not only about improvisation, but also about memorization. You need to remember certain rules, positions, openings, and so on.

Sense of time

Time in turns. How many moves does it take to carry out a particular plan? Whose pawn will break through to the queen faster, and so on. Plus the time in seconds. Chess is played with a clock. Here with these:

Calculations and visualization

When calculating, you do not move pieces across the board - it all happens in your mind. This loads your "processor" the most. The multi-pass options will make your ears turn red. And your brain))

Intuition

Not everything can be calculated. Sometimes intuition comes to the rescue.

Sense of space

The game is limited to 64 squares, and your plan needs to fit within that space.

Reaction

When the clock shows seconds, the reaction decides everything. Quickly react to the opponent's move, set a difficult task for him and make him waste precious time.

There is probably no type of brain activity that is not worked out during the game. Well, how can this be compared with the same crosswords?

Contraindications

Sometimes it's hot at the chessboard. For example, watch this video:

The adrenaline rush directly on us from the screen!

Are you gambling, high blood pressure and heart-stopping? Perhaps you shouldn't play in serious tournaments. Or even more so in blitz tournaments (when five minutes are given for the whole game).

Play online or just with friends in the city club or veterans club.

Although I do believe that stress in moderate doses is necessary. Chess is a manageable little stress that will benefit everyone.

Where can I play and work out?

Ideally in a city club. Game + communication!

But if you are shy or in doubt, start by playing on the Internet.

The best there is is Chess. Com. There you will also find materials for training: puzzles, articles, etc.

The alternative is "".

And there and there is a rating system. So you will be matched with opponents of equal strength. It is interesting! Plus, you can track the growth of your skill (your rating will grow).

About myself

I have been studying and playing chess since I was five. Worked as a trainer.

But they checkmate me with a bishop - you don't see this every day:

Total

Friends, learn to play chess! This is not only interesting. It's also about preventing the aging of your brain.

I wish all the readers of Lifehacker and their family members a clear mind.

No matter how old you are!