With My Left Hand

After experiencing Hepatic Encephalopathy prior to my transplant I have worked worked on never having my brain feel that way again.

Old age will slow me down but I am going to fight it by exercising my brain as much as possible.

Thing is I don’t know how much of this is real and how much is wishful thinking but I will try all sorts of things to expand my brain capacity and neuroplasticity.

I will let you know how it all goes.

So far, this is what I am currently changing:

• Two months ago, I started brushing my teeth and hair with my left hand. Apparently, it creates new paths in your brain. I feel like an uncoordinated fool but I persist. It is slowly improving.
• One week ago, I started writing again. Both online and in a journal. None of this is for anyone else but me. This is using different parts of my brain and also allowing me to get thoughts out of my head in a mostly fully formed way.
• Three months ago, I started hanging out socially with more people. Talking and having conversations with smart interesting people is helping me develop those skills again.
• Several days ago, I upped my yearly reading goal to double the number of books I intended to read from 26 to 52. I am currently. waaaay behind.
• Three weeks ago, I started a half-stitch (half a cross stitch) kit to make a pillow for my couch. This is helping improve my fine motor skills and to learn something new. It is going to take 410 years to complete but I am happily in a zen state while doing it. It is a joy.

What do you do to stretch your brain?
What works for you?
How long have you been practiving this exercise or skill?