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Brain Health and Thanks

2/11/2022

2 Comments

 
I’ve recently joined the BrainHealth Project, a clinical study currently soliciting volunteers. Its research goal is to ascertain whether certain strategies can maintain and even improve brain health over a ten-year period. Entirely online, study participants do brain-training exercises and receive lifestyle advice from in person coaches every three months together with a new brain index test every six months. Areas of possible improvement include diet, sleep and exercise habits, memory strategies, abstraction ability, and social connections. My initial brain health index has not yet been evaluated, and I’ve yet to talk to a coach; but my first impression of the project is very positive. I wonder whether other OCMM members might not be interested in joining the study.

I believe that my score on the social connections part of the index must have been very good—largely because of the friends I’ve made at Old Chatham Meeting. Even though those relationships play out online or by phone/email, I think they’ve probably kept my depressive tendencies (currently controlled by medication) from sneaking into consciousness.

I suspect that my Christocentric focus places me in a minority at Old Chatham, but I’m glad that the acceptance and friendship of members does not seem to be affected by that personal perspective. Of course, Zoom limits the amount of everyday conversation that cements relationships. That’s the main reason I’m flying out to New York in May, hopefully to a re-opened meeting house.

And, just as St. Paul said “Thanks be to God” for the Christians in Corinth, so I say “Thanks be to God” for the Quakers in Old Chatham!  

~ Richard Russell   
2 Comments
Donald Newman Lathrop
2/17/2022 08:13:48 pm

Very interesting, indeed!

I'm not sure I'm confident enough to study my brain. It seems to still work pretty well, but it seems to be ever more forgetful. Ah me.

Let me know how your experience turns out.

Peace,
Don

Reply
Richard Russell
2/18/2022 06:47:44 am

Hi, Don. .

Well, I'm halfway to a healthy brain with a total Brain Health Index of 54.5 out of 100. I scored 66.2 on cognition and 65.5 on well-being--both pretty good scores. Unfortunately, my Interactive index was 32.9 and my Daily Life number was a low 30.0. I guess I need more face-to-face interaction in daily life.

Maybe I should permanently move to New York and move in with you and Merry. How much monthly rent would you charge?

Richard

Reply



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    ​This blog was set up to post content of interest to Old Chatham Quaker members and attenders. Posts related to one's own personal spiritual journey, reports based on interviews with others, and reflections on Quaker-related topics are welcome. Posts by individuals are personal expressions and do not necessarily reflect those of the Meeting as a whole.
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  • Home
  • What's Going On?
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  • Meeting Life
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    • Miscellaneous Documents
    • Document Archive
    • Worship Sharing
    • The Role of Ministry and Counsel
    • Friends Burial Ground at Rayville
    • Photo Archive
  • Covid Policy
  • OCMM Visibility Strategy Survey
  • Blog
  • Sanctuary Documents
  • OPJ Documents
  • Solitary Housing Unit