People who put their brains to work are far less likely to develop degenerative diseases of the brain when they get older.
The secret? The brain is focused and its powers are used.
This is a widely known but mildly appreciated principle that everyone can take advantage of.
As a form of brain exercise, storytelling is currently used as therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Psychologists and neurologists are recommending this practice to help boost the health of the brain as it serves as a good mental workout.
Here are a few tips to improve your mental fitness and to prevent accelerated aging of the brain: Open up to possibilities - Ideas oftentimes start with very simple and silly thoughts.
If an idea happens to crop up, you must not reject it right away.
Instead, it is best if you entertain the idea and develop it.
Use your creativity.
Adapt - If you lack the ability to think originally, try adapting stories.
Read books, magazines, and Internet articles; retell other people's stories, make up stories from worthwhile experiences, etc.
In fact, anything will do.
Find an audience - It doesn't matter if your audience is your grandkid, your dog, or your cactus.
As long as you can direct your story to someone or something, that is good enough.
What's important is that you have an outlet for expressing your thoughts.
Trim down the plot - Storytelling is different from reading from a novel.
It is like the difference between watching a TV commercial and watching a television series.
When telling a story, keep it short; ten minutes per day will do.
Remember, this is not an exercise in the multiplication of words; it is an exercise to improve thinking.
Make it dramatic - Use emotions.
Employ theatrics.
Make it more creative.
Story telling should never be boring, so let yourself out when telling a story.
Story telling is a mental workout with great benefits.
It can make you become more creative, your thoughts more focused, and best of all, your brain stay young and alert.