{"id":6362,"date":"2023-08-08T03:22:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T20:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6362"},"modified":"2023-08-08T03:22:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T20:22:51","slug":"tips-for-brain-health-from-a-101-year-old-neurologist-wellgood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6362","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Brain Health from a 101-Year-Old Neurologist| Well+Good"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">W<\/span>hile many of us may be (understandably) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/retirement-vision\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/retirement-vision\/\">counting down the days to retirement<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/health.usnews.com\/doctors\/howard-tucker-344589\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/health.usnews.com\/doctors\/howard-tucker-344589\">Howard Tucker, MD,<\/a> is still a practicing neurologist at 101 years old. In fact, he holds the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guinnessworldrecords.com\/world-records\/75949-oldest-practicing-physician\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.guinnessworldrecords.com\/world-records\/75949-oldest-practicing-physician\">Guinness World Records title as the \u201coldest practicing doctor\u201d<\/a>\u2014and moonlights as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@whatsnextmovie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@whatsnextmovie\">TikTok star<\/a> with close to a hundred thousand followers. For the past 75 years, he\u2019s been working most days of the week, treating patients and teaching upcoming physicians.<\/div>\n<p>How does he keep it up at age 101? While genetics and luck are a good headstart, he says, stimulating your mind (at all ages) is crucial for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-stay-mentally-sharp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-stay-mentally-sharp\/\">staying mentally sharp<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-keep-your-brain-healthy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-keep-your-brain-healthy\">keeping your brain healthy<\/a> as you age. Here, he shares his four best pieces of brain health advice.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>The neurologist\u2019s best tips for brain health<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Engage in something thought-provoking and enjoyable<\/h3>\n<p>Dr. Tucker says that he has no plans to retire. \u201cMy work keeps me engaged and requires me to think through problems,\u201d he says. Making a diagnosis, creating a treatment plan, and helping patients are all tasks he enjoys.<\/p>\n<p>He encourages other retirement-age folks to do the same, if they can. \u201cIf you are unable to continue working during your later years, I suggest engaging in an activity you enjoy,\u201d he adds, \u201cwhether that be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/longevity-benefits-of-volunteering\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/longevity-benefits-of-volunteering\/\">meaningful volunteer work<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/types-of-hobbies\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/types-of-hobbies\/\">hobby<\/a>, or educational courses, to keep your mind sharp.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6529595\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6529595\/\">One study<\/a> that followed adults ages 59 to 79 found that learning a new language led to greater <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/exercises-for-the-brain\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/exercises-for-the-brain\/\">neuroplasticity<\/a>, or the brain&#8217;s ability to make new synaptic connections.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/neurologist-tips-brain-health\/\" current-title=\"The World\u2019s \u2018Oldest Practicing Doctor\u2019 Shares How He Keeps His Brain Sharp as a 101-Year-Old Neurologist\" current-image=\"GettyImages-tips-brain-health-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-02-07\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/neurologist-tips-brain-health\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/neurologist-tips-brain-health\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/neurologist-tips-brain-health\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>2. Interact with other people<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-connection-longevity\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-connection-longevity\/\">power of connection<\/a> can\u2019t be understated for well-being. \u201cI believe social interaction is another key component to keeping one\u2019s mind sharp,\u201d he says. For example, he\u2019s intentional about speaking with colleagues as well as spending time with friends and family almost every day. \u201cI enjoy participating in interesting conversations and still learn something new from others everyday,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Interaction is important to be proactive about because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/aging\/publications\/features\/lonely-older-adults.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/aging\/publications\/features\/lonely-older-adults.html\">older adults are more likely<\/a> than younger folks to at experience social isolation, which is known to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7223173\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7223173\/\">increase the risk of dementia<\/a>. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2729718\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2729718\/\">research<\/a> has shown that staying connected to others has major positive benefits for our physical health, including brain health (and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-isolation-versus-alone-time\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-isolation-versus-alone-time\/\">mental health<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3>3. Adjust your mindset<\/h3>\n<p>When you\u2019re not feeling too great about your life, getting caught up in how old you are can be an especially easy thing to do. Dr. Tucker encourages folks to be mindful of how much they think about their age, though.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI recognize that I am 101 years old, but I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/effects-co-rumination\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/effects-co-rumination\/\">don\u2019t dwell on it<\/a>,\u201d he says. Instead, he focuses more on being grateful for how many years he\u2019s lived, as well as the experiences he\u2019s had along the way (and is still having now). This doesn\u2019t help only Dr. Tucker, either: Research backs up how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/benefits-of-gratitude\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/benefits-of-gratitude\/\">gratitude can help people live longer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou die once but live daily, so why not make the most of it?\u201d he says, adding that living each day with a youthful attitude helps him to feel younger than he is.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Create sustainable habits<\/h3>\n<p>Dr. Tucker doesn&#8217;t believe you can \u201ccheat the system,\u201d so to speak, when it comes to longevity. \u201cI don\u2019t believe in any fad diets, miracle cures, or specific exercise routines that promise you\u2019ll live to 100,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Rather, he encourages health-promoting behaviors and moderation. For example, he listens to his body and gets a couple of miles in on the treadmill most days of the week. Finding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fitness-after-40\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fitness-after-40\/\">sustainable healthy habits<\/a> will keep you from burning out or overdoing it.<\/p>\n<h2>What keeps him working<\/h2>\n<p>Ultimately, Dr. Tucker is still active in his career because he wants to be. \u201cI enjoy what I do,\u201d he says. \u201cMy work is gratifying.\u201d He loves organizing his thoughts and reviewing medical subjects when teaching medical residents and students. He loves thinking through problems, helping people, and learning new things.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am fortunate to still be able to work and stay current on the latest advancements and treatments in neurology,\u201d he adds. Of course he knows he&#8217;s not your typical senior citizen, which is why he&#8217;s allowed his grandson to capture footage for an upcoming documentary about Dr. Tucker and his work called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/whatsnextmovie\/whats-next-finishing-funds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/whatsnextmovie\/whats-next-finishing-funds\">\u201cWhat\u2019s Next?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Loving what you do is the ultimate key, according to Dr. Tucker. \u201cThe excitement of learning new things, meeting new people, and helping patients keeps me going,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>He feels thankful for the luck he\u2019s had in finding a job he\u2019s so passionate about. \u201cEnthusiasm about your work and personal life, and having a sense of purpose, will naturally lead to motivation,\u201d he says. (That\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/intrinsic-vs-extrinsic-motivation\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/intrinsic-vs-extrinsic-motivation\/\">intrinsic motivation<\/a> for you!) \u201cThat\u2019s all there is to it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While many of us may be (understandably) counting down the days to retirement, Howard Tucker, MD, is still a practicing neurologist at 101 years old. In fact, he holds the Guinness World Records title as the \u201coldest practicing doctor\u201d\u2014and moonlights as a TikTok star with close to a hundred thousand followers. For the past 75 &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6362"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6362\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}