The Brain – challenge or rest?

I admit to being confused. On one hand, we are urged to stimulate our brains on a daily basis … sudoku, crosswords, math puzzles etc. and on the other, we are told to practise meditation. Is it a question of balance, once again or is one better than the other and if so, for what?

Dr. Max Cynader is a world leader in the field of brain research at the University of British Columbia. I have heard him speak and also saw him interviewed by Fanny Kiefer on Studio 4 last week. This scientist talks people-talk! He doesn’t just talk atoms and cells, he personalizes them so that the scientific concepts are readily understood. And if I understand him correctly, the Brain Research Centre has identified that successful predisposition to successful aging includes:

1. genetics
2. environment
3. income on your day of retirement. “Be rich” he says!
4. success and achievement
5. stress (but not the chronic type which will suppress the immune system and kill the neurons that release cortisol)
6. happiness
7. eating less (live 40% longer by eating 40% less)
8. knowing your risk factors for stroke and knowing the signs of stroke to take immediate action
9. brain stimulation (stimulation enhances neurogenesis)
10. physical exercise
11. eating plants
12. stay cognitively, socially and emotionally involved

I really enjoy hearing Dr Max talk about his and his colleagues’ research, I am curious to better understand if and how meditation fits into a successful aging scenario. Google brings up many sites all with positive reasons for meditating … change the way the brain works, slow metabolism, still the mind, reduce anxiety, increase memory. And friends of mine practise it regularly.

So, until I learn more, I will assume that as with all things in life, balance is the key. I just would like to know what THAT means!