The art of your mind is something that you can learn in order to achieve health and wellness. It can also help you deal with chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other health conditions.
Increased blood flow to reward center
A new study by Drexel University researchers suggests that the act of doing something creative boosts blood flow to the reward center of the brain. Researchers used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to record the blood flow in the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with the reward system.
Using fNIRS, participants underwent a number of tests, including coloring a mandala, performing a chalk pastel task, and a rote motor task. The resulting data reveals that art increases blood flow to the reward center, which helps boost your mood and make you feel good.
Although the results from this study weren’t as impressive as those from the aforementioned Drexel study, researchers did find that there was a noticeable increase in blood flow during creative self-expression. During this activity, researchers measured blood flow to the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with the reward system.
Enhanced cognitive abilities
The art of the mind is one of the most under appreciated aspects of human cognition. It is a complex process, whose reward is incomparable delights. Despite its challenges, humans are still capable of doing cool stuffs, the likes of yore. Having a better sense of self is not only an asset but also a badge of honour. Nevertheless, a little tlc goes a long way. The best way to achieve this feat is through a few simple tips and tricks. Keeping your brain in tip top shape is the first step to success. There are many ways to do this, from exercise to a healthy diet.
Resistance to Alzheimer’s disease
Resistance to Alzheimer’s disease is a key component of successful cognitive aging. Residual methods can provide an approach to measure resilience, enabling researchers to identify factors that increase or decrease resilience in aging.
Residual measures are calculated as the difference between the expected and observed outcome variables. They are used in randomized controlled trials as an outcome variable and can be validated by observational studies. These types of metrics provide a simple way to quantify between-individual variability. However, the role of residual measures in clinical practice requires a comprehensive evaluation. Currently, more methodologic standards need to be developed to allow for greater comparability across studies.
Resilience is a complex interplay of genetics and environmental influences. It is defined by the ability of the brain to preserve function and avoid neurodegenerative changes. Increasing knowledge of the mechanisms involved in resistance may yield insights into treatments for Alzheimer’s-associated dementia.
Change in structure and function of the brain
The aging process involves a range of changes in the brain. These include changes in the volume, morphology, neuronal density, and white matter integrity. A wide variety of studies have been conducted to explore these effects.
Age-related changes to the structure of the brain affect cognitive performance. For example, studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum show the most substantial decreases in volume. In addition, the number of PV+ interneurons decreases with age.
Another way the aging brain changes is through plasticity. Plasticity is the ability of the brain to reorganize itself, and it can occur due to learning, memory formation, and damage. It can also occur as a result of a person’s physical or emotional state.
Neuroplasticity allows the brain to create new connections, reorganize pathways, and prune weak ones. This may be an important factor in the decline of cognitive function in older adults. However, these changes cannot be reversed.
Helps patients cope with chronic health conditions
In a nutshell, a chronic health condition will occupy a good portion of your life, and can have a pronounced impact on your wellbeing. The good news is there are a myriad support services, ranging from community support to disease specific ones. Some of the aforementioned services may be found in your local health department. Others might be tucked away in a glitzy new clinic a few blocks up the road. So, what should you do? Here are some tips and suggestions for coping with chronic health conditions. Most of all, have fun! A smile is a happy one and a happy you is a healthy you. Keeping yourself in a state of health is a top priority, and is a must for all medical and health professionals.