A Better Brain at Any Age: The Holistic Way to Improve Your Memory, Reduce Stress, and Sharpen Your Wits

Health and science writer Kornblatt (365 Energy Boosters) has put together a friendly, wide-ranging tip sheet for understanding and maintaining the human brain, with exercises-lots of exercises (called ""brain boosters""). Encouraging readers to ""explore boosters that intrigue you"" rather than trying to employ them all, Kornblatt covers a lot of territory with breezy efficiency, from the latest neurological findings (the adult brain grows between 500 and 1000 neurons each day) to the dangers of ""neurotoxicity"" (new carpets can cause symptoms from rashes to seizures) to an overview of Gardner's multiple intelligences. Along with cognitive behavioral techniques (journaling, reframing, getting a lot of laughs, switching off negative thoughts), Kornblatt suggests various meditations, stretches and ""energy medicine"" exercises (""Scratch your scalp to bring blood flow to the brain"") that consciously incorporate all of the senses. Sections on the importance of social connections, meditation and diet cover some familiar territory, but Kornblatt maintains a game attitude and a lively pace that should keep self-helpers involved.