Maximize brain health while enjoying baseball season

With baseball season officially in progress, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is providing tips to help fans maximize their brain health while enjoying the game.

“Baseball can bring more than just fun and enjoyment; it can exercise your brain and improve your cognitive health,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, the AFA senior director of educational and social services. “Whether you’re in the stands at the stadium or a seat in your home, taking a few steps while watching the game can maximize the benefits to your brain, which is always a home run.”  

Fans are encouraged to follow the B.A.S.E-path for good brain health:

Buddy up while watching the game - Watching and discussing the game with others provides social engagement and connection, both of which are extremely beneficial for brain health. These two activities improve cognition, enhance mood, and also reduce depression and stress. Conversely, loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher rates of cognitive decline and dementia.

Analyze the action - Actively thinking, reasoning and examining information all keep the brain sharp. Analyzing in-game situations, like predicting what pitch may be thrown or whether a base runner will try to steal, exercises the brain by making it process new information. Challenging one’s brain can help preserve memory and reasoning skills.

Savor the past - Positive memories, such as a favorite team’s memorable victories, a favorite player’s accomplishments or a trip to the ballpark help exercise a person’s brain and reduce stress which can harm memory and cognitive function.

Engage younger generations - One of baseball’s most treasured aspects is the bond created among people of different ages, especially fathers and grandfathers interacting with younger generations. Engaging with younger people can involve teaching, explaining concepts or sharing memories. Those actions exercise the brain as it retrieves past experiences and memories, and connects them to present conversations. Positive intergenerational interactions generate joy, a sense of purpose and a feeling of contributing that can all reduce stress and anxiety, and elevate spirits.

To learn more, go to alzfdn.org or call AFA’s Helpline at 866-232-8484.