Boost Neuroplasticity with Brain Games

TOPIC

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections in response to learning or experience. The greatest cognitive stimulus arises when first learning a skill. So, it will be of even more benefit to be a novice at the brain games played at our meetup.

Neuroplasticity goes both ways—gains and losses. Just like with muscles, brain regions that aren’t challenged enough will atrophy with advancing age. Many studies have demonstrated that healthy adults can make significant cognitive improvements with regular practices that include BrainHQ (see the ACTIVE trial and its 10-year follow-up), learning new skills (e.g. a foreign language, learning to play a musical instrument, group-based psychosocial activities (a key aspect of the multi-domain FINGER trial), training to be a London taxi driver (lowered Alzheimer’s rates), learning dance choreography (lowered dementia incidence in 2023 NEJM study), and more.

So, in the spirit of “use it, don’t lose it”, we'll exercise our brains at this meetup. Attendees can vote for their preferred brain challenge among the list below. We’ll spend around 5-30 minutes on each game in order of preference, with brief breaks in between, until we run out of time. Attendees should feel free to skip any brain game that doesn't suit them.

*Group Rhythm Clapping Patterns - fun way to improve timing, attention, and pattern recognition

*Memory Palace - proven way to enhance memory of lists/names

*Street Epistemology on a brain health topic – group Socratic questioning game to challenge higher-order reasoning (akin to the ACTIVE trial)

*Charades – social cognitive challenge of working memory and creativity

*Dance Move Relay OR Easy Brief Dance Routine - multisensory integration and memory challenge while increasing blood, oxygen, and trophic hormones to the brain

*Navigate the Winding Park Trails – relaxing half-hour walk in the park’s gorgeous natural scenery while challenging spatial memory and getting a boost in brain blood flow

Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. Let’s be playful with our whole brain workout together!

WHO

All attendees should first review our San Diego Dementia Prevention Support Group guidelines by applying to JOIN our private Facebook group "The Brain Health Bunch" at https://www.facebook.com/groups/brainhealthsupport

WHAT TO BRING

A hat, sunscreen, jacket, and/or water may be useful depending on the weather. Consider bringing a portable chair for ease of repositioning under changing shady or sunny conditions.

LOCATION

We'll meet at the NORTHEAST end of San Dieguito COUNTY Park, referred to as the "lower park", at 15998 El Camino Real, Del Mar, CA 92104. See the map above and double check the that you are NOT headed to a different park called "San Dieguito River Park". Find us near the three picnic tables and large pepper tree southeast of the beautiful BUTTERFLY GARDEN entrance. Or we may try to sit under the tree inside the Butterfly Garden. Message me (Jen) if you cannot spot our group when you get to the location.

DIRECTIONS

From the 5 freeway, take the Lomas Santa Fe Dr exit and turn right to head westward on Lomas Santa Fe Dr for about one mile. Turn left onto Highland Drive. Take Highland Dr northeast until it crosses El Camino Real. Turn RIGHT on El Camino Real and look for parking on the righthand side.

PARKING

If you park in the free spaces outside the northeast park entrance, you'll have a two-minute walk between two ponds toward the Butterfly Garden (pictured). Or pay $5 to drive through the entrance, then take the first right to park in one of the 20 spaces surrounding the Butterfly Garden.

AMENITIES

Nearby bathrooms, drinking fountains, and handicap parking.CHECK THIS EVENT PAGE

FOR UPDATES

Please check this event page BEFORE leaving in case any changes have been made in venue/timing. If the forecast the day before the event shows likelihood of very hot or rainy weather, people who have RSVP'd "yes" may receive an invitation to a videoconference instead.

IMPORTANT:

By attending, you agree to PARTICIPATE YOUR OWN RISK and to make your own decisions about whether to engage in any of the diet, movement, lifestyle, or other activities discussed. All participation in this support group is entirely at your own risk and not a replacement for seeing a licensed healthcare provider