Week 4: Intellectual Wellness
Week three of the challenge has ended which means we are nearly at the halfway point. Hopefully you are starting view your healthy new habit as an important part of your life, and you are beginning to notice positive benefits. If you have been struggling to maintain your new habit, don’t get discouraged…some bad habits die hard. Keep working—it sometimes takes prolonged determination to make a significant change.
This Week’s Focus: Intellectual Health
Intellectual wellness involves expanding knowledge/improving skills through scholastic, technical, or cultural endeavors. The number of cells in our brains start to decline in our mid-20's, but research has shown that the number of connections between brain cells can continue to grow if we exercise our brain with intellectual endeavors. Challenging your brain on a regular basis will encourage the formation of new neural connections. So you see, it really is a case of “use it or lose it.” Some things you can do are:
- Learn/practice a challenging new skill.
- Delve into current events.
- Read a classic or intellectually stimulating book.
- Attend a lecture or watch/listen to an educational show.
- Learn a new language.
The following websites feature brain teasers, puzzles, and other intellectually stimulating activities:
http://www.braingle.com/brainteasers/index.php
In honor of John Steinbeck’s birthday, this may be a good time to read The Grapes of Wrath or visit the Steinbeck Museum: http://www.steinbeck.org/events/john-steinbecks-birthday-celebration
You may also enjoy:
•East of Eden by John Steinbeck •In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck •The Grapes of Wrath, Text & Criticism •Working Days by John Steinbeck •Grapes of Wrath, DVD with Henry Fonda •Obscene in the Extreme by Rick Wartzman.
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Reading, of course, stimulates the brain. Check out our own campus authors at the following link:
http://ucdavisbookstore.com/MerchList.aspx?ID=12235&CatID=2369
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A visit to a museum is very intellectually stimulating:
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An educational television show can increase your intellectual health:
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And, cultural events expand the brain:
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Learning a new language, while challenging, has been shown to result in big increases in brain function:
- UC Davis Extension: Spanish Without Walls
http://extension.ucdavis.edu/unit/arts_and_humanities/pdf/091_200_spanish.pdf
Upcoming Davis campus wellness events:
“Celebrate Your Body” Week
February 27-March 2, various times and locations, Davis campus
Celebrate Your Body Week is presented by UC Davis Association of Body Image and Disordered Eating (ABIDE). This week is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of eating disorders and body image issues. Promoting proper nourishment, as well as taking care of our bodies will be the focus in the fun and dynamic classes such as cooking classes and Love Your Body Yoga. All are welcome to attend. For more information or to see the schedule of events, please visit their website.
Upcoming Sacramento campus wellness events:
“Pyramid to Plate…What’s on Your Plate?”
Tuesday, February 21, 12 – 1 pm
Courtyard Marriott – Ballroom
What happened to the Food Pyramid and what does it mean to you and your family? Join us for a fun interactive workshop, where you will create your own plate model.
The new plate model is a guide that can help increase the variety of foods you eat each day, which leads to a healthier diet. Learn how to plan balanced meals, while including favorite foods.