Social Ties and a Youthful Brain

Several days ago, I was reading an article about practices that help keep our brains young and memory strong as we age. I don’t remember all the practices, no irony intended, but starting a new hobby you’ll stick with was one of them. Knitting was considered particularly good. Among the other practices researchers touted were learning another language and staying sociable.

In fact, being social, or having human contact, was considered so important that it was thought such things as goals, hobbies, interests, and new experiences may be protective of the brain because they encourage a good amount of social contact.  Even hobbies, avocations, and new business endeavors that appear solitary—quilting, knitting, writing, painting, and the like—often involve some group activities and sharing of results. We like to share our experiences and products.

Yes, introverts need sociability as much as anyone, although their sociability may involve different forms and numbers. Painters may show their paintings to a few close friends or have a gala gallery showing complete with wine and cheese. Knitters and quilters often have clubs and groups as well as their alone times. Reading, a particularly solitary activity, is replete with clubs and review groups.

So, many researchers “suspect,” what the rest of us know. Besides the element of keeping our brains fresh and active by learning new things such as other languages, having goals and curiosity, and getting a bit of exercise, people need people. We need acquaintances and friends and those who are good company. We need human support and contact.

As usual, when considering almost anything, I think of a bible verse or a poem. After God made Adam, he said that “it is not good for man to be alone.” And it is not. Babies who have little to no human contact simply wither and die. We need each other. I love a quote that is attributed to Emily Dickinson. Indeed, it has the spark of her poetry:

“They might not need me: but they might.

I’ll let my head be just in sight.”

How perfect is that? The speaker is available but will not intrude. She (or he) will make herself visible in case she is needed.

And then, Robert Frost who often has the perfect poem for many situations, has several poems about the human need for friendship. Three that I can think of immediately are “Mending Wall,” “The Friendship,” and “Time to Talk”. I give you…

TIME TO TALK

When a friend calls me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,

I don’t stand still and look around

On all the hills I haven’t hoed,

And shout from where I am, what is it?

No, not as there is time to talk.

I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,

Blade-end up and five feet tall,

And plod: I go up to the stone wall

For a friendly visit.

Books – Story Mill Ranch (To see my children’s novels.)

Books – Story Mill Ranch