Thursday, February 19, 2026

Simple 'mental exercise' can reduce risk of dementia for decades, study finds

Even small  amount of mental exercise appears to reduce the risk of dementia for decades. A new study of people who did a specific type of cognitive training more than 20 years ago.

The study involved cognitive speed training, which pushes the brain to process information more quickly. And the result is good news for people who started doing this sort of exercise a decade ago. This exercise helps to take care of neurons.

An online program includes the same cognitive speed training used in the study, which uses exercises more challenging than normal video games which many play.

 These things are hard, but you do get better at it. It makes your brain work. A study of older people shows it helps boost their cognitive  speed. By using these  cognitive training for 1 hours were 25 % less likely to be diagnosed with dementia like Alzheimer's. This protection of neurons by engaging in such cognitive training lasts for more than 2 decades, was a big surprise to the scientists.

This study shows that we can reduce the risk of dementia significantly. 

This experiment seems to trigger implicit learning, which involves acquiring automatic skills and our brain gets rewired through brain plasticity.  

The results of the study will be shown in a couple of years.


This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

 

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posted by G S Iyer at 5:36 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Benefits of Spending Time Alone

While I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, I do treasure moments to myself too - it is my way to disconnect from the distractions around me, while also giving me a moment to tune into and reconnect with myself. Seeking solitude is something that I take the time to do often, and over the years, I have found that being alone has had its benefits on my health and wellbeing too, contributing to both physical and psychological effects.

Here are six things that I have learned in seeking solitude. 
 
The Benefits of Seeking Solitude
being alone
In today's constantly connected world, our minds are continually on 'on' mode, whereby, we hardly give our brain a chance to rest and replenish itself. Spending time alone, however, with no distractions, is one of the best ways to clear the mind. It enables us to focus, to think more clearly and it also gives us the opportunity to revitalize, not only our mind but our body too.

being alone

Seeking solitude takes us away from distractions and interruptions that bombard us every day. Without these distractions, we are better able to concentrate, thus enabling us to get more work done in a shorter amount of time.

being alone

Being part of a group, be it family, friends or colleagues, means that we are often more likely to go along with what the group is doing or thinking. But this may not always be the action that we would take, nor would it be a decision that we would make had we been on our own.
being alone

Everyday chores, responsibilities, as well as stress and worries, can often get the better of us. This constant motion, of feeling as though we continually have something to do or to think about, prevents us from engaging in deep thought and reflection. But not taking the time to reflect on our life can often inhibit creativity and lessen productivity.

being alone

When we are constantly distracted by incoming information (be it through electronic means, or from people), it is hard to think of an effective solution to our problems. Seeking solitude gives us the time to think through our thoughts and our issues.

being alone

Spending time alone will give us a better understanding of who we are and what we desire in life. It also enables us to make better choices about who we want to be around. And, we also tend to become more appreciative of the relationships that we do have, once we have spent time alone.



This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   


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posted by G S Iyer at 9:24 AM 0 comments

6 Principles for Living an Inspiring Life

“We are not our bodies, our possessions, or our careers. Who we are is Divine Love, and that is infinite.” Dr. Wayne W. Dyer 
 
Everybody has their opinions about how we should live our lives. And for me, it’s becoming hard to know who or what to listen to. So, I found it a tremendous relief when I came across this succinct list of 6 principles by which to live a spiritual life, because it comes from a renowned expert, who lived a rich and rewarding life, and who inspired many wonderful people. 
 
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer 
Dr. Dyer was the foremost exponent of the life-giving philosophy that has inspired millions to live spiritually motivated lives. He authored over 40 books, and propelled the 2014 movie The Shift – which testifies to the awesome power of positive thinking – to stunning popularity.

A PhD in educational counseling, Dyer worked as associate professor at St John’s University in New York. Later in life, Dyer shifted gears, turning his expertise in practical psychology to the spirituality of the human experience. And the distilled fruit of his labors is summed up invaluably in Dyer's 6 Principles, which provide a rich and firm foundation for spiritual nourishment. 
 
A PhD in educational counseling, Dyer worked as associate professor at St John’s University in New York. Later in life, Dyer shifted gears, turning his expertise in practical psychology to the spirituality of the human experience. And the distilled fruit of his labors is summed up invaluably in Dyer's 6 Principles, which provide a rich and firm foundation for spiritual nourishment. 
 
1st Principle: “Be Independent of the Good Opinions of Others”

Rather than accept what others determine for you, telling you or advising you how best you can fulfill your potential, you should make your decision based on your ‘own inner calling.’ Often people have strong opinions about where you should live, with whom you should associate, what you should do, and so on. However, no one else but you really knows what your purpose or calling in this life is. 
 
2nd Principle: “Be Willing to Accept the Disapproval of Others”
If you act contrary to what your peers and others wish, you may experience their disapproval, scorn or rejection. Yet to be true to the first principle, you must be willing to accept their harsh over-reactions: meaning, you should not see their protests as evidence you should disobey your own calling. Eventually, they will respect your single-mindedness, and many will look to you for their inspiration. This shows how important you can be, a beacon for the world. 


3rd Principle : Don't die wondering
Don’t squander your life opportunity, leaving your inner calling unheard and your true potential unexpressed. Never be afraid to take the plunge, even if there is a chance you might ‘fail’. Failure won't matter if we think of life as a kind of game, a joyous sport where we each rack up our fair share of wins and losses.
 
4th Principle: "Stay detached from outcomes" 
We are led to believe that we ought to set achievable goals for ourselves and meet them. However, Dyer quotes Sage Maharshi, saying: “There is no goal to be reached. There is nothing to be attained. You are the self. You exist, always.” So, be like a dancer, for whom the purpose of dancing is not reaching the end of the dance, but experiencing every step of the way. If you are outcome-focused, you will be forever ‘out of spirit’. Contrarily, if you live in the permanent ‘now’, you will be forever ‘in spirit’. 
 
5th Principle: “Know That We Need Nothing/No Things to Be Inspired”
We can become so occupied with our possessions – and our neighbors’ possessions – that we forget that the ‘objective universe is not made up of things’. Rather there are waves of motion that stimulate ‘things’, making them appear real and essential. A spiritual person sees beyond the impressions, living 'from the mind', free of bodily restrictions. Oriented in this way, know that God is present throughout the universe. Take it as your inspiration, that to commune with God, you already have everything you need. 
 
 
6th Principle: “Remember That Our Desires Won’t Arrive by Our Schedule”
 Don’t be disappointed if something you wanted fails to arrive. There may be obstacles in our path, but we have attracted them to us, as part of our life purpose. Let overcoming them become your desire, taking each moment as it comes. This advice speaks to our delicate egos, which often have no truck with sudden shocks and unexpected forks in the road. Let yourself be more like God - who showers His rain on the just and unjust - and look upon calamity as you look upon ‘success’. 
 
In summary: To live a spiritual life, listen to your inner calling, ignoring others' misplaced advice. Be unmoved by their disapproval, they will respect you. If you ignore this path, you will have crippling regrets. Don't worry about achieving goals, simply enjoy the journey. Neither take heed of the illusory things of the world. Instead, retain control of your mind and be at one with the universe. Finally, don't be chained to your expectations. If things don’t fall out as you hoped, let them be.


This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   


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posted by G S Iyer at 9:12 AM 0 comments