I just returned from presenting my Engaging Your Brain lecture series aboard the Coral Princess, and want to share about the ways taking a cruise can help your brain health.  My acronym for this is Brain SENSE, and I found that you can pretty much hit all of these brain fitness lifestyle behaviors while on a cruise vacation!

First is Socialization.  We chose the Anytime Dining, and met different people each evening. We also met new folk at breakfast and lunch, both in the buffet and the open seating dining room.  It is so easy to start up a conversation with strangers on a cruise ship, because you can ask where they are from, what other cruises they have been on, their families, etc.  Other ways to socialize include participating in the organized games, such as the trivia competitions, in which you become part of a team.

For Exercise, you can work out in the fitness center, participate in classes, swim in the pool, and/or walk the promenade deck or track.  Exercise is so important to brain health because it increases blood flow through the brain, giving it the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function well.  Research also shows that exercise results in neurogenesis, or the production of new neurons (brain cells).

The N in my acronym stands for Nutrition.  Well, we all know that a cruise ship offers food, food, and more food.  If one has good discipline, one can select those foods which are best for the brain, such as fresh fruits and vegetables with antioxidants, fish with Omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains.  The challenge is to avoid, or at least minimize, the consumption of carbs, saturated fats, and sweet desserts!

The second S in my acronym represents both Sleep and Spirituality.  Research shows that sleep is very important to brain health, especially because it is during REM sleep that the brain consolidates information learned earlier into long-term memory.  Most staterooms aboard a ship can be both quiet and dark, characteristics which are known to aid sleep.  And having control of your retiring and rising times puts you in charge of your sleep, provided you are not hampered by sleep disorders or difficulties, in which case you should consult your physician for sleep aids and strategies.  Spirituality is also known to benefit brain the brain; research shows it can increase immunity, lower stress, and improve overall well-being.

The last E in Brain SENSE stands for Education.  Research shows that stimulating the brain with things that are novel and complex increases neuroplasticity and builds cognitive reserve, which is believed to be advantageous in the event of Alzheimer’s disease. One can expose the brain to new things simply by doing the daily Sudoku, crosswords, or other word games available in the Library on the ship, by attending lectures or classes on board, and of course by taking shore excursions or just exploring the ports of call on  your own.  Travel introduces us to new sights, sounds, and information about culture, geography, and more, resulting in an enriched brain better able to resist disease.

So my suggestion is to get Brain SENSE, if you can, by going on a cruise!