How to Make Your Brain Healthy for a Happy Life (Archive)
At midcareer, neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki had numerous scientific awards and accomplishments. She was studying what makes a brain healthy. But she didn’t have much of a life outside of the lab, and she wasn’t happy. She decided to make some changes, starting with a stop at the gym.
How Does Moving Your Body Make Your Brain Healthy?
Dr. Suzuki shifted the direction of her research after she had personal experience with the benefits of exercise. Soon she was studying how moving your body affects your mood, your brain and your health.
Looking at Neuroplasticity:
Exercise is not the only key to neuroplasticity, although it is very important. If you master specialized skills, your neural connections could change. This can help you keep your brain healthy. Find out what happens when a person learns The Knowledge of the streets of London in order to become certified as a taxicab driver.
Tune in to learn how you can put her research to work for you to help you achieve better brain function and a happy life. Should you take up meditation?
The research from the Netherlands that we discussed about exercise and learning is published in Current Biology, June 16, 2016.
This Week’s Guest:
Wendy Suzuki, PhD, is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards including the prestigious Troland Research Award from the National Academy of Sciences. She is a three-time TedX speaker and has presented at The Moth.
Her book is Healthy Brain, Happy Life:A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain & Do Everything Better. The photograph of Dr. Suzuki is by Elias Wessel.
Listen to the Podcast:
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free for four weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.
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