Logo
    Search

    Podcast Summary

    • Learning new skills stimulates brain healthNew hobbies and skills create new neural pathways, contributing to brain health, better mood, and overall well-being

      Engaging in new hobbies or learning new skills, particularly those that involve both physical and mental challenges, can significantly contribute to brain health. According to recent research, creating new neuro pathways is essential for brain health, and this can be achieved through learning and challenging ourselves. While doing familiar activities can strengthen existing neural pathways, learning something new stimulates the growth of new ones. This not only helps maintain a healthy brain but also leads to better mood, resilience, and overall well-being. So, consider trying a new hobby or skill to enhance your brain health and improve your mental and emotional state.

    Related Episodes

    Sing

    Sing

    Ever noticed how good singing makes you feel? In this episode, Michael is joined by comedian Sindhu Vee to embrace the joys - and health benefits - of singing on the top of your voice. He finds out all about its unique mood-lifting ability and how singing can produce similar effects to cannabis. He speaks to Dr Daisy Fancourt to find out about her research on revealing how singing can boost your immune system and how it could help treat chronic pain.

    Can Happiness Ward Off Dementia?

    Can Happiness Ward Off Dementia?

    Age is the main risk factor for cognitive decline. So with more people around the world living longer, cases of dementia are set to rise. There's currently no cure - but research suggests that happiness can reduce the impact of this awful illness. 

    Psychologist Emily Willroth helped write a chapter on this topic for the 2024 World Happiness Report - and explains how making friends, helping others and engaging in fun physical activities can slow cognitive decline, even when the disease has taken hold.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Brain Professor: "Popular Treat Now Considered Deadlier Than Smoking!", "Alcohol Is Shrinking Your Brain" - David Raichlen

    The Brain Professor: "Popular Treat Now Considered Deadlier Than Smoking!", "Alcohol Is Shrinking Your Brain" - David Raichlen
    As humans we have evolved to move, but why are we getting it wrong so often? David Raichlen is the Professor of Human and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on the connection between human evolution, physical activity, and health, examining why inactivity leads to so many chronic diseases in the modern world. In this conversation David and Steven discuss topics, such as how modern exercise levels compare to hunter-gatherers, the dangers of sitting, how air pollution is linked to dementia, and the misunderstanding of just how much exercise it takes to get health benefits. 00:00 Intro 01:59 My Work: How Lifestyle & Exercise Affects the Brain 03:07 You Can Change an Ageing Brain 05:22 What Is a Neuron? 05:36 What Is the Hippocampus 07:28 The Link Between Exercise and Brain 09:06 What Happens to Our Brain When We Don't Exercise 12:54 People Aren't Meeting the Guidelines for Good Health 15:25 What Activities Are Good for Our Brain? 17:35 Orienteering Can Train the Brain 18:47 How the Different Types of Exercise Increase Neuroplasticity 22:39 Impact of Exercising in Greener Spaces Than Urban 24:06 Better Cognition Exercising Before a Task 25:41 The Optimal Time of the Day to Exercise 27:46 The Hadzas: Researching Hunter-Gatherer Tribes & the Findings 28:56 What Is the Optimal Exercising Time? 31:59 Cardiovascular Illnesses in Hadza Tribe 35:07 What's the Issue with Sitting? 40:29 The Power of Daily Small Amounts of Exercise 42:17 How to Improve Memory 46:08 Top Factors That Fuel Cognitive Problems 48:38 Link Between Human Connection & Brain Impact 50:54 Pollution Impact on the Brain 53:13 Racquet Sports for Brain Health 54:41 How Much Activity Do I Have to Do? 55:52 Endocannabinoid Receptors and Exercise Rewards 57:24 Mental Health Issues Linked to Lack of Exercise 01:01:45 Brain Foods 01:03:07 Reaching Optimal Living 01:07:50 What Causes Alzheimer's? 01:12:39 Last Guest Question Follow David: Twitter - https://bit.ly/483oZIF Watch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsb My new book! 'The 33 Laws Of Business & Life' is out now - https://smarturl.it/DOACbook Follow me: https://beacons.ai/diaryofaceo Sponsors: Huel: https://g2ul0.app.link/G4RjcdKNKsb ZOE: http://joinzoe.com with an exclusive code CEO10 for 10% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices