We are both body and brain, and the two constantly interact. If you decide to, say, learn to play the piano (brain) your body will be carrying out the exercises and as you improve (body) your brain will change to include the knowledge of how to perform the new skills. This interaction and feedback is basic to acquiring any physical skill. Once a skill is acquired, it is retained through regular practice (body) which in turn reinforces the associated circuits in the brain. Why is it important in retirement to be aware of the partnership between body and brain?
As one ages, the tendency and the temptation is to do less – not to be as physically active as previously. We tend to walk less, exercise less, avoid physical challenges, sit for longer and rely on the car to transport us rather than our legs. But what does the reduction in physical activity do to our brains? A good example is singing. There is a strong connection between the voice and brain. We are born with all the physical structures necessary to be able to sing and the same apparatus is used when talking. But unless singing is encouraged in childhood and we sing throughout our adult lives, when we come to retirement the brain circuits which are used in singing have almost disappeared through neglect. It is difficult, although still possible with regular practice, to rediscover one’s voice and sing with confidence after half a lifetime of silence.
So the lesson for retirees is to consider the body-brain connection in all our activities. If you don’t continue to regularly walk, swim, dance, cycle, climb stairs, sing, lift weights, throw balls, and so on*, not only will you lose the physical ability but your brain will adjust to not doing these activities, and you will lose the mental skills and motivation. Next time you avoid a physical activity because your brain says: Why bother? Answer it with: A healthy brain depends on a healthy body, and vice versa. As is said frequently, but rarely heeded: If you don’t use it – you’ll lose it!
* One activity you do need to give up as you age, is climbing ladders.
Renaissance not Retirement 