”AKA – You Go Girls!”

It’s true.

Scientists have backed the old adage, saying it’s particularly true in the case of matriarchs, who lead the herd. A study of wild African elephants revealed that dominant females build up a social memory as they get older, allowing them to recognize ‘friendly faces.’

According to the journal Science, the females’ role is to signal others about whether an outsider is either a friend or enemy. This allows family members to focus on feeding and breeding without danger.

Males, on the other hand, leave family units early and remain single or in small bachelor groups.

Whether male or female, more often than not elephants travel long distances to search for food – and the most typical groups of elephants consist of a matriarch grandmother, her daughters and granddaughters. In fact, the older matriarchs are better at picking out ‘strangers,’ which allows the herd to spend more time breeding and relaxing. And, anything that removes the grandmother from the family – such as poaching – would have a significant effect on reproduction.

Finally, whether male or female, elephants have a high friendship level with humans, and also develop long-term relationships with others. In fact, they remember humans and their own species even when separated for decades.

I’m particularly excited about the finding that elephant memory is fact, not fiction.

That’s because a friend recently gave me a beautiful jeweled elephant – about two inches high and 1 ½ includes long. When you pull up the trunk there’s a little round space where you can store rings and other small items.

I don’t use it for that, however. If elephants have so much memory, I’m going to leave my elephant closed as much as possible so I can savor and grow the ‘memory bank’ each day.   

So, if you’re having trouble remembering things, take a trip to a zoo – or, even better – buy an elephant as a family pet. 

NOTE:

Twenty years after an international treaty banning the trade of ivory, ivory smuggling still is alive and well in Africa. This has led to huge slaughters of these wonderful, ‘brainy’ animals, as well as leaving elephants to face extinction in the wild because of habitat loss and poaching. If you’re interested in learning more, go to: http://www.ehow.com/how_2073581_save-endangered-african-elephants.html

“Walk barefoot along the beach, hear waves crashing on the shore, sink your toes in the warm sand…watch beautiful sunsets and be captivated by life.”

– T-shirt from the Island Market

The week of Labor Day weekend, we went to Sunset Beach with some close friends.

In addition to going out to eat fresh fish, we usually stock up with food from a local grocery store.  But after several days, we realized we didn’t have anything left for lunch.  So my friend Jennie and I rode half a mile to the Island Market, a pleasant little store on the main road into the beach, just a stone’s throw from the pier.

The market is part grocery store, part beachwear, part wine shop and part drug store. They also have a wonderful take-out deli. (And, I’ll add, once when I put quarters in the newspaper box and the machine ate all the coins, the cashier at the market loaned me the money to use in a different box.)

Meanwhile, as we were waiting for our sandwiches, Jennie noticed a blue T-shirt with the words “Love Life” on the front. Given my positive approach to life, she pointed it out and I bought it immediately. It wasn’t until later that I noticed there were words on the back – including those in the quote above.

 We began our love of the beach when our children were small. We didn’t have much money, so we and some dear friends – whose children were the same ages as ours – split the rent on a house at Topsail Beach. We barely had enough money for the shared rent, so we declined the option of hiring a maid. Instead, Cynthia and I furiously scrubbed the sinks, bathrooms and the rest of the rental house before check out. (We were afraid we would get fined if it wasn’t 100% spic and span.) But it was all worth it, knowing we had such a delightful time watching our kids make sandcastles, find shells and play in the surf.

Today, at 24 and 21, our children ride the waves instead of making sandcastles, but they still love the beach.

Thanks to an inheritance from my grandmother, we are fortunate to own a share of a beach house at Sunset Beach, south of Ocean Isle and north of Myrtle Beach. We can use the house up to 10 weeks year round, but given our busy schedules, many of those weeks go un-used.

 I, for one, enjoy the off-seasons just as much as – if not more than – the summer months. We love taking walks down the beach, riding bicycles around the island, and, when in season, hopefully get a chance to witness sea turtles hatching at night.

 We often buy fresh fish from the local market and cook at home, but we also love finding other great restaurants. Two of our favorites are the Sugar Shack – a Jamaican-style restaurant – and Big Nell’s, one of those breakfast and lunch joints where the waitresses remember you season after season, year after year.

We occasionally visit Price’s Seafood in Calabash, where the fried seafood is good but the huge tree in front is the real attraction. Generations of children – including ours – have climbed its wide limbs, parents watching every minute. One evening a woman told us she missed not seeing her son in the tree; It turns out he was now 50.

 While we love the water, as well as walking or riding bikes on the beach, our favorite place is the open porch facing the ocean. We relax on rocking chairs, watch the waves, read, do puzzles, and drink coffee or wine.

Since we share the beach house with others, we always put a few personal things out to make the place feel more like home. For instance, we display a photo of our children taken the first time we went to Sunset. We also put out a blue bottle on the living room coffee table and hang a windsock decorated with appliqué baseball bats on the rusted hook on the porch. (In case you don’t know, my husband is a baseball fanatic; the windsock was a Christmas gift one year.)

 To me, the beach is life. The sand. The waves. The relaxation. The shrimp boats out at sea. And, of course, the sunset.

What better way to ‘Live Life to its Fullest?”

 If you’d like to see some fabulous photos of Sunset Beach, please go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teppes and click on the box on the upper right-hand side.

 I wanted to send this brief update because so much has been happening in my life lately – especially on the Alzheimer’s front.          

As you may recall, I met with the regional chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association earlier this fall, and they asked if I would be willing to help by giving speeches and doing other outreach.

I felt very comfortable with that, especially since I was a partner in a PR firm for many years and had numerous occasions to communicate to a variety of audiences.

As it turns out, just a few days after our first meeting, the Alzheimer’s Association called to ask if I would join in them in a presentation to a donations committee of Wells Fargo/Wachovia employees. My role was to tell my story about my Alzheimer’s, my positive attitude, and how I am doing now.

Meanwhile, a well-respected PR professional contacted the Association and offered to arrange a program about the illness on the morning NPR show.

And that led to something even more significant.

A reporter from the Charlotte Observer heard part of the program and asked if I would be willing to be interviewed for a series of articles about my life with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Of course I agreed. Anything to raise awareness – and funding – will help us get closer to new medical breakthroughs; perhaps even a cure in our lifetime.

Finally, there will be a candlelight vigil for the Alzheimer’s cause on Nov. 5 at First Presbyterian Church in uptown Charlotte. I hope some of you can attend!

In addition to being involved with these events, I’m still working hard to exercise my body and brain. I am noticing more memory loss, but am still active and enjoying life.* Last but not least, I want to tell everyone how grateful I am to my good friends in water aerobics, who, for the last quarter of the year plan to donate money to Alzheimer’s in lieu of birthday gifts. And, the group is considering choosing other charities next year.

Whether $1 or $20, giving to others can make a tremendous difference in the lives of the others, giving them a chance, too, to live life to the fullest.  

*Of course if you know me well, you know there is one thing I DON’T enjoy about life: Dusting!!!

     Everyone who reads my blog knows I focus on “Living Life to its Fullest.”  And, almost everyone who receives the blog has been able to ride out this recession relatively well.

      But all of us could use a pick-me-up, so please take time to absorb some of the following words of inspiration, hope and encouragement. I’ll start with the quote I used in my very first blog, “A Beautiful Day”:

“Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything, that lets the light get in.” – Leonard Cohen

     Another one of my favorites comes from Alcoholics Anonymous. Even if you don’t fall in that category, the ‘Serenity Prayer’ is meaningful for all of us: 

“God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.”

    Here are some others, some of which are anonymous:

 “No matter what situations life throws at you…No matter how long and how treacherous your journey may seem…Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

 “Never give up. No matter what is going on. Never give up. Develop the heart. Be compassionate. Not just to your friends, but everyone. Work for peace, and I say again, Never give up.” – excerpt from Tenzin Gyatso 

 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful.” – Proverbs 15:13

 “If I could, I’d comb the sky and collect the stars, quickly pile them into a basket until it overflowed with silvery light. And then I’d give the basket to you, because all things precious and beautiful should be yours today.”

“Life isn’t what you want it to be, it’s what you make it become.” – Anthony Ryan

 “It really is the little things that mean the most of all. The “let me help you with that” and the “I’ll be glad to do it” things…make your cares much lighter, The “laugh with me, it’s funny” things…make your outlook brighter”  – Mary Dawson Hughes

“There is no such thing in anyone’s life 
as an unimportant day.” – Alexander Woollcott

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” – Maria Robinson

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.” – Muhammad Ali

“Do not go where the path might lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Keep me safe all through the night,
And wake me in the morning light.” – Childhood prayer

“Just one song can spark a moment. One tree can start a forest. One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship. One handclasp lifts a soul. One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness. One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey. One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits, and one touch can show you care.” – Unknown

“Today is the first day of the rest of my life.” – Cortland Anderson (my father)

 Please feel free to put your favorite inspirational quotes  in the comments section below!

   “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” – Joseph Addison

  It was a lazy Saturday afternoon and I looked up from the sofa in our den at the bookshelves. I was curious – just how many books do we have in the entire house?

     The answer was 545…in seven different rooms. (Oops! Just found another. The count is now 546.)

     They include Bibles, baseball books, paperbacks and old hard-covers, as well as children’s books that have lasted generations. (OK, Alice in Wonderland has lasted for generations; The Turkey that Ate My Father does not qualify.)

     Other authors on the shelves include J.D. Salinger, Frank McCourt, Bernard Malamud, Mark Twain, Nora Ephron, P.D. James, Sinclair Lewis, Robert Parker, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Roth, Harper Lee, Charles Shultz, Dr. Seuss and Woodward & Bernstein.

     I have always loved to read, and I have my first-grade teacher Mrs. Hazel – and my parents – to thank.

     I was born in southern Florida when there were no public kindergartens, so the first time I entered school I was six and in first grade. The first word we learned was “clock.” The letters C-L-O-C-K were placed right under…guess what? Two points for everyone who guessed a certain round object that tells time.

     When I got home I was so excited, I went into my sister Sharon’s room and stood over her crib. I taught her to say ‘clock’ and spelled it for her. Family lore has it that later on Sharon talked so much everyone wished I’d never been her tutor. (Just kidding, Sharon.) But my parents also read to us on a regular basis, and that, I’m sure, is the reason all of us love reading.

     I can’t read as much as I have in the past – particularly if the book is long, long-winded or complicated, because I often forget what happened in the chapter before. But I try to overcome that obstacle by reading fun detective stories and those which are fun and engaging. A dear friend recently sent me a book of short stories, which was a real hit. Others have recommended audio books, but to me, it doesn’t seem real unless you actually turn the pages and look at the written word.

     The good news is, I not only love books, but reading is a great workout for the brain – for everyone. Reading is a lot like mental exercise, with the added benefit that it’s also enjoyable. Other benefits of reading include:

• Using your imagination.
• Learning new things.
• Gaining different perspectives.
• Expanding your vocabulary.
• And, if you want, improving your own writing skills.
• Finally, in my case, I believe my love of reading led to my love of writing, which led me into careers in journalism and public relations.

     I was an avid reader as a child, but I often worry whether children spend enough time reading at home these days, or having parents, siblings or friends available to read to them. Many families don’t have time or resources for regular reading, and often classrooms are so full there’s little time for individual attention.

      The good news is there are many efforts to help. The local YMCA, for instance, sponsors a reading program, and the president of my husband’s company has encouraged his team to read to needy students. Finally, our local library system has strong literacy programs – and they’re all free.

     If you have the time, read to a child. You won’t regret it. And it could change their lives – and yours – forever.

     As you know, the goal for my blog – and my everyday activities – is to inspire me and others to “Live Life to the Fullest.”

     My first journal was ‘A Beautiful Day’.  It was that day that made me decide to celebrate life rather than mourn my diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.  It also prompted me to write a serious of articles that focus on life and living with a positive attitude.

     I plan to continue to write the traditional articles that hopefully inspire others (and help me use my brain!), but also would like to include other beautiful thoughts, moments, joys and more from time to time. I also thought readers might appreciate occasional updates on how I’m doing, recent family activities, updates from doctors’ visits, etc.

     So, here’s a quick summary:

     Overall, I am doing very well and feel good. I do especially well when I’m home, when I am with friends and family, and when I’ve had the chance to take my daily nap.

     I won’t kid you, however. There are times I feel frustrated, like when I put something away and can’t remember — even minutes later — where it went. Or, when I had a great idea and then lost it.

     The other challenge is that I tend to take on too much or I find myself in a state of confusion. For instance, I recently got lost coming home from my doctor’s office. I was so stressed I didn’t even think to call Greg and have him come get me. I finally made it home myself, but that night and the next I literally did not sleep a wink. 

     On the upside, I have lots of friends – and family members – who help and support me. I also exercise regularly (the most important thing you can do to keep the brain healthy because it generates significant blood circulation.) I also try to keep active — planning lunch dates, shopping and trying new things, like making bead necklaces and other crafts.

     Greg and I also have kept busy this spring and summer, planning a 27^th anniversary party, going to the beach and, just recently, a trip to the mountains. Another special activity was a reunion of my sisters and cousins to celebrate my 50^th birthday.

       On the health front, I recently saw my doctor at Duke, and heard the good news that I do not have the gene that causes Alzheimer’s. That doesn’t mean I don’t have Alzheimer’s, but it does ensure that our children won’t inherit it.

       I also read an inspirational story on the local Alzheimer’s Association e-newsletter, and made contact with the staff there. They also recognize the importance of a positive approach – especially for early-onset patients - and they have asked me to make speeches to various groups as appropriate.

      Most importantly, I continue to do everything possible to focus on the positive and do everything possible to stay healthy. My sister, who is a statistician, did some research and said that having a positive attitude doesn’t make you live longer, but it definitely makes a difference in quality of life.

                And that’s what makes ‘Living Life to the Fullest’ possible for everyone.

 “To be rich in friends is to be poor in nothing.” – Lilian Whiting

“A friend is someone who knows your faults and likes you anyway.” – My Mother

Earlier this month, I turned 50 and three special friends took me out to a lovely dinner.

(On second thought, I’m not sure they should be called ‘special’ since they made me wear a pink ‘boa’ and a flannel headband with spokes saying  H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y). On the bright side, one of my presents was a lovely picture frame with the word ‘Friends’ carved at the top.

The next week, our water aerobics class gathered at a local restaurant for a celebration of everyone who has birthdays this month. I started taking the class for exercise, but I’ve been blessed to have made dear friends along the way.

Just recently, our next-door neighbors catered and managed a wonderful anniversary party for us at our home. Not only that, a friend from church took the time to drive me to and from the Duke University Memory Center this month for my quarterly appointment.

And, when I first learned of my diagnosis, one of the first things I did (besides telling my family) was to call one of my best friends over to our house to tell her the news. I knew she would listen well, be upbeat and pray for us.

Which begs the question: where would we be without friends?

And what is true friendship?

One definition of a friend is “a person whom one knows well, likes and trusts,” as well as a person you know well and regard with affection.

 Other words you may find in the dictionary are buddy, ally, chum, confidante or pal.

The common thread among friends seems to be shared activity – going out to lunch together; taking an art, needlework or exercise class; joining a book club or getting involved in volunteer activities.

In fact, I met some of my best friends through baseball.

It started when our son was five or so. My husband saw a poster advertising sign-ups for a youth baseball league, and we enrolled. At first it was t-ball. Then we graduated to coach-pitch. The Dads coached and the Moms cheered from their folding chairs (as well as brought snacks and drinks.) We rarely missed a game.  

And, because we were together so much, we Moms – and Dads – got to know each other very well. When Cortland and his friends got to high school, the more professional coaches took over, but we still religiously attended every game. All of us watched when our sons were on the field, but I must confess there was a lot of chatting  among the Moms– as well as building lasting friendships.

Even the workplace provides opportunity for staff to get together, learn more about each other and take the time to grow relationships. I haven’t worked in an office for almost three years now, but I continue to get together for lunch, dinner or visits with former colleagues when I can. (And as long  as I stay in my ‘husband approved’ driving zone.)

Friendship, by far, is not a new concept. An age-old philosopher once said that “someone is able to assess one’s own life only through friendship.” Friendship, it seems, brings out the best in us.

Another expert says that friendship is ‘life enhancing’ because it makes us feel more alive. It also helps to promote self-esteem.

But that’s not all the benefits. Friendship also provides:

• The ability to live well with pleasure and interest.
• A tendency to look out for others, as well as the ability to provide sympathy and empathy.
• Mutual understanding.
• Reduced stress, and, if needed, the honesty to have a frank discussion with someone who may need help.
• A support system when someone is sick, or is out of town and you offer to collect their mail and keep watch on their house. (Neighbors – you know who you are!)

When I think about friendship, my thoughts often turn to childhood, when we used to have ‘best friends’ – sometimes a different one every several months. But we also had special friends we still remember today.

It’s been more than 30 years since high school and it’s amazing how the concept of friendship has expanded. Today we can connect with friends – or make new ones – through Facebook and other tools. We also use e-mails to communicate, often to arrange a lunch date, a group outing or just a way to stay in touch.

Indeed, friendship IS special.

And one of the best things all of us can do is befriend someone new – whether you meet them at a conference, the park, the grocery store, or standing outside a homeless shelter.

Friendship is a gift from God, and everyone should take care to make sure we nurture our friends as we do our family. In fact, how could you live fully without friends? In addition to family, friendship is one of the most important and fulfilling relationships you can have.

When you count your friends, you count your blessings.

And that in itself is a blessing, indeed.

              George Santayana:

“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces”

This summer, I’ve been blessed to participate in two family reunions. 

 On the second Sunday in June, we attended Greg’s family reunion in his hometown of “Pop City” North Carolina. (Note: I am invoking copywrite approval for the following paragraph since Greg wrote it last year but I served as editor.)

Pop City is situated on U.S. 264 Alternate and “sprawls” across eastern Wilson and western Greene counties. But before rushing out to locate Pop City on the map, let me save you the time. When Greg first met my father and told him he was from Pop City, my father immediately went to a National Geographic atlas and, upon not locating said municipality, jokingly accused it of being a “fictitious” place.

I can vouch for Greg that it is very much real, and somewhere very special.

Too many people in the family there have passed along, and we miss them very much. But going to the family reunion each year reminds us of the importance of family throughout our lives. (Selfishly, it also reminds me of the fabulous Eastern North Carolina barbecue, homemade cakes and pies, luscious lima beans, corn bread and fresh fruit salad.)

In early July, we’re also having a very special reunion on my mother’s side of the family. None of our parents are alive any more, but we will remember them, too, at our first-ever sisters-and-cousins reunion. I will be turning 50 in July, and we’ve planned a special long weekend at a hotel and spa in Charlotte.

Our reunion will have a theme of the ‘70s, when we used to spend summers at our Grandmother’s house in Brooksville, Florida – a charming Victorian village near Tampa. My mother’s family has a very long heritage, and we’ve spent much of this month making copies of DAR and Civil War documents, not to mention sending Civil War daguerreotypes to a specialist to restore and copy. All of us are going to bring all the ‘70s memorabilia we can find, including my worn out Jim Croce record. (Note to the younger generation, if you don’t know what a record is, think of it as a really big CD).

Even though there are few members of our family left, and my sisters and cousins live far away, we are lucky to be able to have extended family, spouses and children together to remember old stories and learn more about our family roots.

Indeed, families ARE special, and here are just some of the reasons:

• Family is a very important part of our every day life. It helps shape our lives, teaches us the value of love, affection, care and thoughtfulness.
• It’s a place where you can be yourself.
• Family provides hope for future generations.
• It teaches us morals, manners and proper use of the English language. (As my sisters can attest, my mother was a ‘Politeness and Grammar Nazi’ – which, of course, has served us well into adulthood.)
• It also helps you gain confidence and learn skills and tools you’ll use the rest of your life.

Unfortunately, there also are downsides within certain families. Some people might inherit serious or fatal diseases, and, of course, we grieve when a family member passes away. I am lucky because all I inherited is ticklishness and superstitions. (Thanks to my grandma and mother, to this day if I walk out the front door and go all the way to the back yard, I retrace my steps so I walk inside the same door I originally left.)

 In all seriousness, however, today’s society views family as a haven from the world, a place for fulfillment, love, intimacy and trust. It allows us to escape the competitive, rough-and-tumble landscape around us to find warmth and tenderness.

 Families have the added benefit of having children and watching them grow (overnight I might add.)  But that’s part of God’s plan. Children turn into adults and, with good family support, become wonderful grown-ups.

One of the most important changes in families in our generation has been the explosion of new forms of communications, whether you’re close by or across the world. When I was growing up in the late 1970s, we had two hard-wired phones in the house and were limited to three minutes per call. Today, we have cell phones, cordless phones, Facebook, e-mail and more.

(I have to confess I like this approach. I know you’re supposed to prepare handwritten notes to friends and family, but my handwriting is harder to read than the last row on an eye chart, so this gives me an easy way out.)  And, with airplanes and reliable cars, we have even more opportunities to see family and loved ones in person.

Our family is especially fortunate. Not only are our two wonderful children well on the way to independence and adulthood, Greg and I have stayed very much in love. In fact, we recently had a small “27^th” anniversary party, celebrating our marriage in 1982. It was as joyous as the day we exchanged rings.

Of course many families don’t have the benefits others do, and we should remember to pray and support those who don’t have any relations, or those who are on their own — hungry, hurting or friendless.

Growing up in a loving family is wonderful gift from God, and provides all of us an opportunity to help others, whether they are blood relatives or not. In fact, in a broad view, everyone around the globe is part of a family: God’s family. And that is a blessing in and of  itself.

Living Life to Perspective: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1

Winter – at least in the South – sometimes gets cold and moist enough to snow, but it’s usually mild enough to wear sweaters. Spring is a time of growth and anticipation – putting away warm coats, pulling out short-sleeve shirts and watching the daffodils bloom. Summer brings swimming, beach trips, suntans, and, to the younger set: No School!!!!! Finally, Fall is the time to watch leaves change color and drop onto the grass below. And, yes kids, it also means the dreaded start of school.

 We are fortunate to have four separate seasons so we can appreciate the change from one to another. Just as there are four seasons of nature, there are four seasons of life, each requiring different types of work and activity. During winter you dream and plan. In spring, you plant. In summer you water and cultivate. In fall, you reap and distribute. And, of course, each season comes with its joys and challenges. (Since my goal is to live life positively, I decided to focus on the joys.)

 Joys of Winter

•  Building a fire in the den
• Drinking hot chocolate
• Wearing flannel pajamas
• Roasting marshmallows
• Decorating trees and opening holiday presents

Joys of Spring

• Waking up to a cool, refreshing breeze
• Watching the flowers bloom and the grass grow
• Planting vegetables in a small garden
• Having a cool drink and reading a book on the porch
• Enjoying the longer daylight

 Joys of Summer

• School’s out!
• Vacations to the beach, lake, mountains or theme parks
• Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie
• Enjoying fresh fruit and vegetables
• Drinking ice-cold lemonade

 Joys of Fall

• Watching the trees turn color
• Then raking them in piles and jumping in
• Dressing up in costumes and going trick-or-treating in your neighborhood
• Children returning to school a grade higher and making new friends
• Having a camp-out in a tent in the back yard.

 Special blog bonus feature:

 Since we recently had a journal entry on the joy of singing, please spend a few minutes singing or humming this excerpt from James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend.”

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You’ve got a friend.

If you have any special joys in the various seasons, please let us know by clicking on ‘comment.’

The old saying “Use It or Lose It” is particularly important when it comes to the health of your brain.

You don’t have to be elderly or diagnosed with dementia to take steps to keep your memory as strong as possible. In fact, the best time to start beefing up your brain cells is right now — whether you’re 21 or 71.

During my journey with sudden memory loss and the later diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, I’ve learned a lot about how to keep my brain as active and healthy as possible. And one of the things I learned is that the brain needs care just like the rest of the body.

Here are some DO’s and DON’T suggestions for how you can help your mental acuity. A number of these tips came from the AARP, but many others came from my own experience and suggestions from experts. (Remember, I am just a lay person. If you think you are having memory problems, please see a doctor.)

DO:

• Exercise, exercise, exercise!!!!!!! This is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your brain, as well as your body.  When I first met with a cognitive therapist, she immediately told me to join a water aerobics class. You not only get physical benefits, the water routines require a great deal of concentration. But other forms of exercise are just as valuable – from walking and jogging to swimming, bicycle riding, basketball, golf and more. Exercise causes more blood to flow through your brain, and a study showed that people with Alzheimer’s who were less fit had four times more signs of brain shrinkage than those who exercised regularly.

• Keep your mind engaged. Do jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers, crossword puzzles, computer games, needlepoint, etc. Even better, listen to music or watch TV when you’re doing these activities – it helps both the right and left sides of the brain.

• Use your nondominant hand to do daily tasks, like brushing your teeth or clicking the the computer mouse. This simple change promotes the growth of neurons in the brain, which can sharpen memory and thinking.

• Stay socially active with friends, family and community groups.

• Take steps to manage stress.

• Eat a balanced diet, focusing on brain-healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. As examples, the antioxidants in green tea help your body detoxify harmful chemicals. Omega 3 fatty acids can help slow down or prevent degenerative illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes and others. In addition, take steps to reduce your cholesterol if it is high, and keep your blood glucose and blood pressure under control.

• Make sure you pay close attention every time you learn something. Write it down, or repeat it to yourself several times. Focusing is important.

• Last but not least…doodle! Researchers found that test subjects who doodled while listening to a recorded phone message had 29% better recall of the message’s details than those who didn’t doodle.

DON’T:

• Drink to excess, smoke or use illegal drugs.

• Don’t be overly concerned about normal memory slips – like forgetting names or where you put the keys. (But do go to the doctor if you notice more significant changes in your physical or mental health.)

• Become isolated in your home. Go to lunch with friends, join a book club, walk around the mall, visit museums, walk trails at nearby parks, or sign up for free seminars. Your local paper should have lists of places to go and things to do. Never think you’re too old or tired to start something new!

Along with all these tips, just remember that you’re in control of your body, and there are many things to help you keep your memory as strong as possible. And that way, you – just like me – can focus on ‘Living Life to its Fullest.’