I Love Naps, But This Facebook Reel Made Me Think About My Brain!
I love naps.
Seriously. If I have the chance to take a nap, there's a pretty good chance I'll take it. It's one of my favorite things to do. Give me a comfortable place, a little quiet, and I'm usually good to go.
But today, I came across a Facebook Reel that made me look at naps, aging, and my brain a little differently.
And it was surprisingly sobering.
What's happening to our brains as we age?
The Reel discusses how the human brain changes as we get older. It points to changes beginning around age 35, with brain volume loss accelerating around age 60.
That caught my attention.
I'm 54. That means I'm already past the age when some of these changes are said to begin, and I'm getting closer to that next milestone.
The video emphasizes that this isn't simply about the brain getting smaller. It's about changes in the brain's structure, including neurons, the connections between them, and the way information is processed.
These are the things that help us think, remember, reason, solve problems, and make decisions.
In other words, the machinery that helps make us who we are.
I did a little additional reading after watching the Reel. Research supports the idea that brain volume begins declining in middle age, with the rate increasing around age 60. But there's an important distinction: normal aging does not mean we're simply losing huge numbers of neurons. Changes in neurons, their connections, and the brain’s supporting structures all contribute to the process.
So the subject is a little more complicated than the Reel makes it sound.
The 10% brain myth
Here's another part of the conversation that caught my attention.
We've all heard the claim that humans use only about 10% of their brains.
It's a popular myth. We use the entire brain, but different areas handle different activities, and they aren't all working at maximum capacity at the same time.
Think about it. Reading, walking, remembering someone's name, solving a problem, or watching a movie all involve different networks of brain activity.
The brain is working even when we're not consciously doing something complicated.
The Reel also discusses how only a portion of neurons fire at any given moment. That makes sense, since neurons communicate in networks and their activity changes depending on what we're doing.
I wouldn't put too much weight on a specific percentage without knowing the research behind it. The important point is that the brain is not sitting around with 90% of its capacity unused.
It's a pretty remarkable organ, and we depend on it for just about everything.
So, what does this mean for me?
This is where I started thinking beyond the video.
I have my own collection of medical adventures. I'm an above-the-knee amputee; I have end-stage renal disease, and dialysis is part of my weekly routine. I've had plenty of reasons to think about my physical health.
But how much attention do I give to my brain?
I enjoy watching movies, writing blog posts, learning new things, researching topics, and figuring out how things work. Those activities keep me mentally engaged.
I also enjoy a good nap.
And I'm not giving that up just because I watched a Facebook Reel!
But I do think it's worth considering what I'm doing to keep my brain active as I get older.
Am I continuing to learn? Am I challenging myself? Am I reading, writing, having conversations, and exposing myself to new experiences?
I don't want to get to a point where I look back and realize I spent all my time consuming entertainment without doing anything to challenge myself.
A little perspective
One thing I took away from this Reel is that aging is happening whether we pay attention to it or not.
We spend time thinking about our weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, physical appearance, and all the other things that come with getting older.
But our brains deserve some attention, too.
The good news is that normal aging doesn't automatically mean losing our ability to learn, remember, or think clearly. Older adults can continue learning new skills, forming memories, and expanding their knowledge.
That's encouraging.
I want to keep doing those things. I want to remain curious, keep learning, keep writing, and keep challenging myself.
And yes, I still want to take naps.
Maybe I'll make sure I do something mentally stimulating before I settle in for one!
Watch the Reel
I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the video.
It made me stop scrolling and think about something I don't usually spend much time considering.
We only get one brain. It's responsible for so much of what we do, how we think, and how we experience the world.
Maybe it's time we give it as much attention as we give the rest of our bodies.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've done enough thinking for today.
I'm going to take a nap.
My brain might be aging, but apparently, my love of naps isn't going anywhere!