GET A LIFE - GRAY MATTER

Keeping our minds agile is something we must continue to do throughout our lives. Neuroscientists are finding out more and more about the brain's amazing ability to adapt and reconfigure itself - not only when it's traumatized, but also as it ages.

It was once thought that as we got older, our brains simply grew dimmer like a light bulb on its last bit of wattage. But lo and behold, it's not so simplistic. Research now indicates that as the brain ages, it begins making connections and cross-indexing in ways it never has before. Our short-term memory may not have the power it once had, and it may be harder to cram in a lot of information, but the minds of older folks have the ability to make associations and infer meanings that are beyond the capacity of younger minds.

For many of us, the aging process actually makes the brain work better. How we take care of our bodies is a big piece of the pie (and too much pie can be a huge problem).

At this point, I think we're all aware that spending half of our lives on the sofa with the remote control in our hand while eating a pile of french fries and onion rings isn't going to help our brains become juicy.

We have to move in order to get enough oxygen to the brain so that we can think clearly. The brain also needs the stimulation of positive emotions, learning experiences, and new ways of being to keep it fresh; and it requires love and support from other humans.

We want to increase neuroplasticity, the lifeblood of our brains, to stay vibrant and alive. There are many ways in which we can embark on this exciting journey to build our minds' capabilities. One of my favorite ways is to make sure I learn something new every day. I find many wonderful bits of knowledge in conversations I have with perfect strangers.

Waiting in line can become a treasure trove of learning. Just start talking to the person next to you and see what happens. There is a huge body of evidence that links a love of learning with longevity. Individuals who are able to maintain interests later in life are likely to be more physically and mentally healthier than their less-engaged peers.

Eartha Kitt said it best: "I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma."

Author, humorist, PBS star and Fortune 500 trainer Loretta LaRoche lives in Plymouth. To share your pet peeves, questions or comments, write to The Humor Potential, 50 Court St., Plymouth 02360, send e-mail to getalife@lorettalaroche.com, visit the Web site at www.stressed.com, or call toll-free 800-99-TADAH (82324).