Who does not want to keep their brain ageless? Market is often replete with claims, products and supplements purporting to make our brain better: improve memory, delay onset of age-related decline and many more. However, one of the most under-rated yet effective way to protect and optimize our brain may be available to us at no cost at all. It is called silence, especially intentional silence; our ability to voluntarily withdraw/unplug from the cacophonous world around us and allow our brain to rest. Studies have indicated that when our mind is caught up in chaotic wandering, it could jack up stress response and damage our DNA, make us unhappy, may put us at the risk of depression and decrease job performance.
On the other hand, offering our mind a moment of rest and silence through a simple technique such as Awareness of Breath is indicated to slow down amygdala (our fear centre) and initiates the integration of amygdala and frontal cortical parts of the brain (thinking part of the brain), alters gene expression related to chronic diseases, and initiates the growth of neurons in hippocampus (involved in memory).
So just pausing and paying attention to the cycle of incoming and outgoing breath for a few minutes a day may give our brain a much needed protection from the chronic wear and tear wrought by modern lifestyle and may be the brain supplement of the future. Another studies have suggested that mind-body exercises may be helpful in preventing onset or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
