What comes to your mind when you hear the word “aging”? A wrinkled face, forgetfulness, and difficulty navigating complex problems. Most people like to believe that as soon as they enter their 40s or 50s, it is practically over for their brain to function as optimally as it did during its golden days. However, we have got other news for you!
Experts believe that human intelligence and brain functions do not follow a set pattern but rather peak in different eras of life. So even if you have crossed the initial prime years of life, do not give up on your brain as yet: you have many more highs to look forward to.
This article will cover the different ages at which your brain works the sharpest based on different functions. Moreover, it will also shed light on tips you can follow to keep it in a top-notch working position.
What Age is Your Brain the Sharpest: Measuring the Peaks
We have long believed that our ability to recall information and process data peaks at 20 and then quickly plummets. However, more recent findings suggest that the rise and fall of brain function are much more complex than this. Multiple studies have been in place to understand these ups and downs in brain function, and most of them suggest that different components of fluid intelligence peak at different ages.[1] While some components peak in early adolescence, others may take as long as 40 years before the brain learns to master them.
So what are these peaks, and when can you expect to experience them? Let’s find out.
Peaks in Brain Processing and Memory: 18 Years
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, a standard tool to measure human intelligence, indicates that most people experience a peak in their brain processing and memory formation in their late teenage years.[2]
A Peak in Memorizing Unfamiliar Names: 22 Years
Have you always struggled to remember the names of your classmates from high school? Fret not. The best is about to come. Experts believe that your brain’s ability to memorize small bits of information without any underlying context peaks at 22 years of age.[3]
A Peak in Facial Recognition: 32 Years
We hate to break it to you but you take 30 long years to reach the peak of your ability to recognize new faces.[4] Why the late blooming? Experts believe it has something to do with practice making perfect.
A Peak in Concentration Abilities: 43 Years
Your ability to stay in focus continues to slowly improve until you finally turn 43. So if you have been having a difficult time at work, do not be disappointed, as the best is yet to come. Studies conducted by Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory and Harvard University confirm that people approaching their mid-years usually have a higher ability to concentrate than younger individuals. [5] They may not have the best flexibility to process information but their capacity to remain focused truly peaks in their 40s.
Peak Emotional Intelligence: 48 Years
Humans become masters of identifying others’ emotions only after they enter their 40s. More specifically, this ability peaks around 48 years of age, where they show the highest performance.
A Peak in Arithmetic Processing: 50 years
Did you think you could beat your 50-year-old parent at a math test? Think again. This is the best age to learn and understand new information, political ideas, and historical events. Because many people eventually stop practicing their mathematical skills after school, they believe their ability to perform basic division and subtraction has declined since then. In reality, these skills reach their peak levels as you hit 50.
Peaks in Vocabulary Skills: 67 Years
As surprising as it may sound, your vocabulary skills peak around the age of 67 years. Some people may go as late as the early 70s to master their language and know all the words, no matter how simple, complex, or old-fashioned they might be. So don’t underestimate your grandpa the next time you play scrabble. There’s a fair chance that he beat you at it.
Keeping Your Mind Sharp and Fit
Now that you are familiar with the different ages of peak brain performance, let’s focus on how to retain as much of these abilities as possible and save the brain from the natural effects of aging.
Writing
Writing has a myriad of benefits- it calms your nervous system, unloads the brain of the unnecessary burden, and improves your brain health. [6] As the activity engages your mind in complex language and thought processes, writing can provide similar, if not greater, benefits than reading. The activity works the best against brain degradation due to the level of proactive thought it requires.
So keep a journal or a diary and write down whatever you wish to. Be it a short story, an impromptu thought, or simply a story about how your day went, keep writing!
Stress Management
Stress management comes off as a real challenge for many people, especially those slowly entering old age. If not managed, mental stress eventually translates to physical stress and impairs cognitive functions. Additionally, stress also makes it difficult for people to perform well and distracts them from performing activities to maintain health.
So if you are trying to keep your brain sharp and healthy, work out a good stress management plan. Include activities like adopting a new hobby, listening to soothing music, reading a good book, and going out for daily walks to reduce the level of chaos in your mind.
Dietary Modification
Food, directly and indirectly, impacts all aspects of life. Paying attention to the food you eat can easily help people avoid cardiovascular issues, which, in turn, protect cognitive functions. Research also suggests that people who eat poorly or are obese do not have optimally functioning brains as they fail to pay attention to what they put in their bellies. So, make sure to pick up healthy habits to keep your brain sharp. Eat healthy foods rich in antioxidants and other nutrients and vitamins to remove free radicals from the body and protect the brain from their harmful effects.
Mind Games
Not all brain-sharpening activities have to be boring; some involve solving exciting mind games and puzzles. Puzzle-solving makes you work on your memory and logical skills, helping boost your cognitive performance. Quick riddles and Sudoku games are some other fun ways to help you improve your thinking patterns without consuming a lot of time. Keep engaging your brain in these quick and fun mind games to keep it sharp, strong, and in optimal health.
Exercise
Exercise has always been an excellent way to reverse or slow down the aging of the brain. As aging weakens the connections between brain cells, exercise reduces these effects and maintains the strength and sharpness of the brain. Even if you do not have time to go to the gym or spend hours in complex exercises, include long walks into your daily routine to uplift your brain functions.
Mathematics
Mathematics is a forgotten skill for most of us as we have never practiced it since school. However, the subject is great for sharpening the mind as it focuses the brain on solving questions and finding solutions. Exploring different areas of math can also provide you with a better understanding of what real-world problems are. So get yourself a book today and start practicing.
Social Interactions
Humans are social animals and reap many benefits from social interactions. While most of us attempt to isolate ourselves as we proceed toward the age of retirement, experts suggest expanding social interaction to experience a stronger and open mind. Having in-depth discussions and debates with others allows you to polish the brain aspects involved with logical inferencing. Similarly, engaging in heart-to-heart discussions with loved ones gives you an opportunity to improve your emotional quotient.
Language
Have you always been interested in learning a new language? Go for it! Not only can it be a good addition to your CV and communication skills, but it can also provide you with many extra life opportunities.
Learning a new language involves multiple skills, such as reading comprehension, memory, and thought development. So as you do it, you are exercising various aspects of the mind. With a bit of time, many people start noticing how learning a new language is helping them improve their life. Not to forget how it makes it so much easier to travel across the world and meet new people.
Conclusion: To a Sharper & Healthier Brain
It’s never too late to experience good brain health and performance. No matter what age group you are in, you will always get better at some things and worse at some other things while being at a plateau for a few of them. So make sure to take the lead and keep your brain sharper and stronger as you cross the peaks of different cognitive aspects.
