The Secret to Immortality Lies in Our Brains How to Preserve Your Sanity for Eternity (9 photos)

"There is no death, gentlemen! There is no death! This can be proven. And proven with strict logic. The human personality is immortal!" these words were spoken by Academician Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev during his speech at a scientific conference in 1916.

The great scientist was convinced that with the death of the body, a person does not disappear without a trace, and it is the human brain that holds the secret of eternal life. But to enjoy life until the last breath, and to not be afraid of death, we must make some effort right now.





I really want to believe that after the death of the physical body, a person does not plunge into endless darkness, but continues to live thanks to their consciousness. The academician was convinced this was the case, but he could not prove his point due to the lack of technology capable of peering into the structure of the human brain.



Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev

There is no complete answer to the question that torments the great scientist even today, although many believe that humanity is on the threshold of this world-changing discovery. However, to enjoy eternity, one must be of sound mind.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Bekhterev wrote that only 20% of people retain their sanity in old age, while the rest become senile or suffer other serious mental impairments. To avoid becoming one of these 80% of unfortunate people, one must take action long before reaching old age.

Why do some people retain a sharp mind and excellent memory until their graves, while others lose their ability to reason clearly and even recognize familiar faces? It's safe to say that one of the most important reasons for this difference is the significant difference in people's lifestyles.





Most people believe that old age is a time of rest, something so many lack throughout their lives. People relax and take it easy, which seriously harms their personalities. Interests are limited to the primitive "eat well and get plenty of sleep," and intellectual work is replaced by watching TV and doing crossword puzzles.

At the same time, the level of demands on others and on life itself increases, which, of course, is not always met with a response. This results in irritation and, consequently, a rejection of reality. Memory and the ability to think begin to suffer first, and then the person begins to distance themselves from the real world, immersing themselves in their own, often cruel and unpleasant, world filled with morbid fantasies.

Signs that your mind is in danger

It has already been proven that dementia does not occur suddenly, as it develops over years, gradually gaining greater control over the individual. Conservative, principled individuals are particularly at risk—they are much more susceptible to age-related mental decline than flexible and emotional individuals.



The following signs may signal that it's time to take care of yourself and rethink your lifestyle and worldview:

1. You've become sensitive to criticism, but at the same time, you're eager to criticize others;

2. You've lost the desire to learn and explore new things. You've become attached to familiar things—instead of buying a new phone, you'd rather fix an old one, the functions of which you're familiar with;

3. You're nostalgic for the old days, and the classic phrase, "But back then..." creeps into your speech more and more often;



4. You don't care how the other person reacts—you're ready to talk for hours about things that interest only you. Even watching them fall asleep before your eyes won't stop you;

5. You've lost the ability to concentrate when reading serious literature. The content of scientific or simply serious books is difficult to comprehend and hard to remember;

6. You've started discussing things you have no idea about. Politics, economics, sports—the topic is completely unimportant; the important thing is that you've become an expert in this field;

7. If you have two films, one a serious work by a cult director and the other a detective story with a simple plot, you'll choose the latter to avoid unnecessary stress. You're surprised anyone watches films by serious directors;



8. You've come to believe that you owe nothing to anyone and that everyone around you should adapt to you;

9. Your life gradually becomes filled with rituals. You can only drink your morning coffee from a specific cup, but only after feeding the cat and picking up the newspaper. Breaking this routine throws you off track for the entire day;

10. You notice that your actions are starting to irritate others, but you can't do anything about it, because you know how to live correctly. There's no malicious intent in your actions.

Upgrading Your Brain Yourself

It's long been observed that people in the sciences and arts are more likely to retain their sanity into old age. This is because their occupations force them to strain their memory and keep their brains busy every day. They keep up with everything new and unusual, eagerly meet new people, and travel, leading more fulfilling lives even in old age than some young people.



The need to live such a life is the guarantee of a happy and sensible old age. But if you're not a scientist or a writer, that doesn't mean you'll be stuck in a hopeless old age in your own world, created by a sick imagination. A few rules, which require some effort, will ensure your brain stays healthy into old age.

1. Start learning something new every couple of years. You don't necessarily need to go to college for this—taking advanced training courses or mastering a new profession is enough. It's also worth striving for new experiences, for example, trying dishes you've never eaten before and experimenting with your wardrobe;

2. At any age, try to surround yourself with people younger than you. They'll make it easier for you to learn new things and keep up with the most interesting events. Be sure to play with children, and you'll realize you can learn a lot from them;



3. Has it been a while since you encountered something new and interesting? It's quite possible that you've been avoiding curious things yourself. Look around and take a closer look—you'll surely notice plenty of interesting things just a step away;

4. Be sure to solve intellectual problems (many exercise options, simulators, and problems are here) and take all kinds of tests—this is good brain training both in youth and in old age;

5. Learn foreign languages, even if you're sure you'll never need them. Memorizing new words and rules is excellent brain training;

6. Don't limit yourself to growing upward, but also grow downward. Get out your old textbooks and try to refresh your memory of the school or college curriculum;

7. Exercise regularly—it's a great way to protect yourself from dementia;



8. Train your memory (you can train your memory with Wikium) by recalling poems you once learned, dance moves, or at least the phone numbers of friends and acquaintances;

9. Avoid habits and rituals. Regularly change your commute, order a variety of dishes, and try new things;

10. Do what you enjoy and give others more freedom. Allow more spontaneity and creativity into your life. The more extraordinary and fulfilling your life is, the longer you'll retain your sharp mind and zest for life.

Also, don't deny yourself life's small pleasures, but remember to observe moderation. A glass of good alcohol in the company of good friends, as scientists have found, is also beneficial for your brain.