Swipe With Purpose: How Tech Can Rewire Your Brain for Good

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Is spring the best season?

It really does seem like a time for renewal and optimization. “April Theory.” January is cold, post holiday fatigue and low motivation which are hardly the ingredients for a successful life overhaul. Maybe now is the true time to commit to improving.

In This Edition

1. When Your Digital Device Isn’t Killing Your Brain

2. Brain Hack of the Week

3. Reflections from the OR

4. The BDNF Boost

5. Final Thoughts

Digital Tech: Seniors' Secret Weapon Against Dementia 🧠

New research shows daily use of smartphones, computers, and tablets could be a game-changer for older adults' brain health, cutting dementia risk by more than half.

Picking up that smartphone or tablet might be one of the best things older adults can do for their brain health. A new study found that seniors who regularly use digital technology reduced their risk of dementia by an impressive 58%. That's right - something as simple as checking email, video chatting with grandkids, or playing online games could make a big difference in keeping minds sharp.

The brain benefits come from several different angles. When seniors use digital devices, they're constantly making decisions, solving problems, and thinking critically. It's like taking your brain to the gym! Plus, staying connected through video calls and social media helps fight loneliness, which we know is bad for brain health.

Think about it - when you're learning to use a new app or figuring out how to send a photo, your brain is building new connections. These mental workouts, combined with staying socially active online, create a perfect recipe for better brain health. Digital tools can also help with everyday memory tasks, like setting reminders for medications or keeping track of appointments.

What's really interesting is that it's not just about occasionally using technology - the real benefits come from making it part of your daily routine. This has got healthcare providers and community leaders thinking about how to help more seniors get comfortable with digital devices. Some communities are already setting up training programs and tech support services specifically for older adults.

According to the study, making sure seniors have access to devices and affordable internet is key. Many senior centers are now offering computer classes and some even provide tablets for residents to use. It's not just about teaching them how to use the technology - it's about making it a natural part of their everyday lives.

Looking ahead, researchers want to learn more about which types of digital activities might be most helpful. They're also interested in understanding how different groups of seniors might benefit from various kinds of tech use.

The message is clear: encouraging older adults to embrace digital technology isn't just about keeping up with the times - it's about giving them a powerful tool to protect their brain health.

TLDR:

• Daily digital technology use cuts seniors' dementia risk by 58%

• Brain benefits come from problem-solving, learning new skills, and staying socially connected

• Regular, consistent use is more beneficial than occasional use

• Communities are creating programs to help seniors learn and access digital technology

• More research is needed to identify which digital activities are most beneficial

Brain Hack of the Week: Inbox Brain Gym

Every time you check your inbox today, use this 2-minute cognitive training mini-routine:

1. Subject Line Scan (30 sec) – Read through all subject lines without opening anything. Try to mentally note:

   • The number of emails

   • 2-3 senders

   • A key word that repeats

2. Prioritization Recall (30 sec) – Close your inbox. Without looking, write down:

   • Who emailed you

   • What topics you remember

   • Which one is most important

3. One-Touch Rule (1 min) – Reopen your inbox and act on just one item with full focus (reply, archive, forward). Then close it again.

💡 Why it works:
This exercise trains selective attention, working memory, and executive function—cognitive domains tied directly to productivity and long-term brain health. Pairing it with something you already do (like checking email) turns a distraction into a microdose of neurotraining.

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Reflections from the OR

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the difference between stress and stretch.

There’s a certain type of challenge — just difficult enough to make you focus, but not so overwhelming that you freeze — that seems to do something good to the brain. I’ve felt it in the OR, yes, but also in much more ordinary moments. Like trying to stay patient with a tired kid. Or learning to use a new tool when I’d rather just ask someone else.

The interesting part is that those kinds of moments don’t always feel like “growth” in the moment. They just feel slightly uncomfortable.

But when I look back, the things that pushed me just a little — not too much — are usually the ones that stuck. They’re what shaped my mindset more than any dramatic achievement.

From what we know in neuroscience, that’s not a coincidence. Tasks in that sweet spot of difficulty — where you're engaged but not overwhelmed — trigger brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. It’s a chemical that helps the brain grow and adapt. And it shows up when we’re putting in effort that’s real, but sustainable.

So I’ve been trying to notice those moments more. And not immediately back away from them.

The BDNF Boost

When you push your brain just outside its comfort zone — not too easy, not too hard — you trigger the release of a powerful molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

BDNF is like fertilizer for your brain. It:

• Strengthens existing neurons 🧠

• Encourages the growth of new ones 🌱

• Enhances communication between brain cells 📡

But here’s the catch: BDNF doesn’t get released when you coast.
It responds to challenge — specifically, tasks that demand effort but are within reach.

That’s why purposeful digital engagement — like navigating a new app, learning a new skill online, or playing cognitively demanding games — is so powerful.

Final Thoughts

I think this season is the perfect time to look for achievable challenges. Constantly focusing on that can help us keep our mind’s strong.

Stay sharp,

Colin