Genes Are Not Destiny Pt 2

In Dr Neil Barnard’s TEDtalk a study indicated that you can literally ‘reverse the clock’ in your brain!

The hippocampus region of the brain (pictured above) is responsible for memory, and gradually shrinks in older adults as we age. The brain images of subjects who went for a brisk walk three times a week for a year showed that not only did their hippocampus stop shrinking, but gradually grew – as if time was going backwards! Those who walked also did substantially better on memory and cognitive tests. Yet another reason for Private Home Care to promote exercise!

Dr Neil’s exercise ‘prescription’ for making walking a habit:

Week 1: A 10 minute walk three times a week

Week 2: Add 5 minutes to each walk, for a 15 minute walk three times a week. Increase tempo.

Week 3: Add another 5 minutes to each walk, for a 20 minute walk three times a week, with the tempo increased.

Keep increasing until you have reached a 40 minute walk at a brisk pace three times a week!

TIP: Feel like you don’t have the time? Try splitting the walks up, perhaps 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening.

Harsh weather conditions? If the weather is bad, you can go to a health club. Or you can invest in a recumbent stationary bicycle with back support to ride at home. A good idea is to have the bike stationed next to a window – that way you can get the benefits of sunshine. You can even make it a part of your day and enjoy your morning coffee and read the newspaper while pedaling on a gentle setting!