101-year-old Dr. Howard Tucker, who has been a practicing neurologist for more than seven decades, has shared his daily rituals to keep his brain sharp in an article published by CNBC.
Born July 1922, Dr. Tucker has been named the “Oldest Practicing Doctor” by Guinness World Records at the age of 98 in February 2021, wherein it is stated that he has been practicing medicine since 1947.
Now at the age of 101, Dr. Tucker is still going strong because of his one principle: “Keep your mind engaged through work, social, and entertainment activities.”
According to him, it is natural for our mental processing abilities to be haywire as we age, wherein, some areas of the brain might shrink, with the neurons becoming less effective, and blood flow decreasing.
“But like any other muscle in the body, our mind needs consistent exercise to thrive,” he said, sharing his three daily rituals based on his principle.
Going to Work
Dr. Tucker shared that he still hasn’t retired as research has shown a correlation between retiring and increased cognitive decline, sharing that working helped his brain to be busy.
He also shared that other activities such as volunteering, pursuing a hobby, and learning new skills can also “provide great mental simulation.”
Staying Social
Dr. Tucker also referenced a study stating that strong relationships may help in maintaining memory and cognitive function.
Whilst the unfortunate circumstance that many of his acquaintances have already passed away, Dr. Tucker shared that he is fortunate enough that his job allowed him to socialize with his colleagues – and would make it a priority for him and his wife to socialize with the people in their community, colleagues, and their family.
Reading for Entertainment
Lastly, Dr. Tucker recommends immersing oneself in a good book, regardless of the genre, as it “requires your brain to process a bulk of new information,” which he believed is the “key to keeping your mind sharp.”
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