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Midlife Wisdom For Men Issue #104, April 15, 2008

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· Brain Fitness Program Good For What Ails You

· Are You A Zoomer?

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Written by Noel McNaughton
Midlife-Men.com
(c) copyright 2008 midlife-men.com

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If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a big favour and forward it to him. If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting Midlife Wisdom for Men.

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Welcome to this issue of Midlife Wisdom for Men.

Ever have a 'brain cloud'?

I have heard people say that when they eat certain foods (e.g. sugar), that can't think too well. They have a brain cloud.

Apparently chemotherapy, which I am grateful never to have had to take, can give you a serious brain cloud. Elizabeth and I have been using a computer-based brain fitness program that can help.

Ever get tired of being called a baby, as in 'baby boomer'? Well, if you are still hip and with it, you are now a zoomer. Congratulations.

There are about 720 words in this issue, which should take you about two minutes to read.

Noel

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Brain Fitness Program Good For What Ails You

As we get older, our brain's ability to process information tends to slow down. That is one reason that younger people can solve problems more quickly. (The good news for us older folks is that we can ask better questions, which often obviates the need for solving what was thought to be a problem.)

A few months ago, Elizabeth and I bought the Brain Fitness Program from positscience.org. The program challenges your brain in various ways through six computer-based exercises. The exercises are easy to use, even for computer novices, adapt automatically to each user, and give constant feedback about progress.

The purpose of the Brain Fitness Program is to speed up auditory processing, improve working memory, and encourage your brain to produce more of the chemicals that help it remember.

It takes about forty hours to complete the program, and they recommend you compete it within two or three months once you start. We believe it worked or us as advertised.

If you have had chemotherapy, or know someone who has, it could be even more useful.

Last month Posit Science researchers presented results of a pilot study on Chemobrain at the 36th Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Here is an excerpt from their newsletter:

The study found that the Brain Fitness Program significantly improved the quality of life of breast cancer patients dealing with chemobrain-memory, concentration and other cognitive difficulties associated with chemotherapy that can make it difficult to fulfil professional and personal commitments.

One assessment found 94% of the participants reported positive changes in their overall well-being.

Cognitive impairment plays a part in many illnesses and injuries-from cancer, to HIV, to traumatic brain injury. We will continue to investigate the potential uses of our programs to help people who may experience these conditions.

The brain fitness program is fairly pricey, but if you have 'chemo brain', or just want to keep your brain working at speed as you age, I think it is a good investment.

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Three friends die in a car accident and they go to an orientation in heaven. They are all asked, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are talking about you, what would you like them to say?

The first guy says,"I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time, and a great family man."

The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."

The last guy replies, "I would like to hear them say ... Look, He's Moving!"

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Are You A Zoomer?

We got the latest issue of the CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) magazine 50 Plus the other day, and discovered that we are Zoomers: Body of a 65-year-old, mind of a 45-year-old, libido of a 35-year-old, and heart of a teenager. Apparently Zoomers control 1/2 all Canadian wealth!

I think they got the data a little bit incorrect, in that the body should be of about a 52-year-old, if it is an 'average-aged boomer', as the boomer generation is from about 1946-1966.

At any rate, the idea is that the boomer generation is different than any before it:

• better educated
• healthier
• faced little hardship, and many opportunities while growing up
• worships youthfulness, and refuses to admit to aging

They say that 50 is the new forty, and 60 is the new 50. Zoomers have changed the world during every other stage of their lives, and don't appear to be stopping now.

I like the idea of being a Zoomer (even though I am not officially a Boomer, having been born in 1945). We have the energy, education, confidence and health to continue being actively engaged in the world for a long time yet.

The difference as we age is that our emotional focus changes. We are more interested in societal change, and spiritual growth. It is similar to the idealism of our teenage years, but with the experience and wisdom that comes with age.

Let's Zoom!

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Words of wisdom from a football announcer: "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again."

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Unusual travel Web sites:

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If you have a service business, or would like to, and need a website but don't have time to build it, you will find this helpful: "No, I'm Terribly Sorry... I'm Not Accepting New Clients Right Now."

**************************************************** I Need Your Questions and Feedback!

Got comments? Questions? I'd love to hear from you.

Just email your suggestions and/or questions to noel@midlife-men.com . I look forward to hearing from you. And thanks.

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Well friend, that's it for now. Again, if you enjoyed this and/or found it useful, and know of anyone else who might like it, please pass it forward. And if you have questions or recommendations, I would love to hear from you.