Susan Wehry, MD, a distinguished geriatric psychiatrist, passionate advocate, and Medical Advisor to The Cedars Learning Community joins us each month to share her insights. Drawing upon lessons from her multifaceted career and over 40 years of experience in long-term care and geriatrics, Dr. Wehry will share her unique perspective on some frequently asked questions about aging and brain health.
February is the shortest month of the year. It hosts Black History Month, Groundhog Day, President’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. It’s still winter but the days grow longer. Morning comes more quickly and night falls less fast. The sky is lighter. Fittingly, February is also American Heart Month, in which we are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyle habits—a diet richer in whole foods, regular exercise, putting aside tobacco —all which can prevent up to 80% of cardiovascular events.
But when I was a child, February was the month when my best friend Susan Elaine and I would be sledding, building forts, and defending our turf with snowballs and cunning. We selected and signed Valentine’s Day cards with great care. We didn’t think much about this being “good for the heart” or “good for the brain”. We were, quite simply, playing. And this month, I want to encourage you to do the same: Play more!
I’m often asked: Is playing Chess good for you? What about Sudoku? What about crossword puzzles? And my answer is nearly always the same: Is it fun? Do you enjoy it? Good habits should be fun—or you might not keep them up!
Social play provides positive interaction and initiates a complex cognitive process that engages multiple brain regions. Social interaction is essential, as loneliness is a known risk factor for poor health.
Playing is as essential for adults as it is for children. For children, play is the primary way they learn about and interact with the world around them. Playful activities like building forts or sledding with friends allow children to negotiate social dynamics and forge lasting connections. Play supports social and emotional development and promotes physical health. For people of all ages, play that includes physical activity increases blood flow, delivering essential nutrients to both the heart and brain. This improved circulation positively impacts mood, bones, muscles, and gut health and encourages the growth of new brain cells, a process called neurogenesis. Playing outside exposes the body to natural light and fresh air, which further positively affects mood and cognitive function. Time spent in nature offers a restorative break that reduces stress, improves focus and concentration and further strengthens the brain’s resilience against cognitive decline.
So, have some fun! Send a card or text to someone who has touched your heart, schedule a new playdate or reminisce about an old playmate. Your heart—and your brain—will thank you.
What would you like to know? Send your questions to Tracy Ericson at tericson@thecedarsportland.org
In memoriam. Susan Elaine Finney Hutcherson. 1951 – 2007
