Four Simple Steps to Help Seniors Keep Their Minds Sharp
The adage, “use it or lose it,” is often associated with exercise. Yet, it also applies to mental health as well. Similar to how our bodies benefit from a variety of physical activity, our minds also improve when we engage in diverse cognitive tasks.
Seniors who regularly exercise their minds protect themselves against mild cognitive impairment. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that older adults with normal cognition who engaged in mentally stimulating activities had a decreased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment later in life. The study also concluded that participants who engaged in cognitive activities at least once or twice a week experienced less cognitive decline than those who only participated in the same activities a couple times a month.
Many seniors hear “mentally stimulating activities” and are immediately intimidated. Don’t let the terminology prevent you from exercising your mind. Here are four simple steps to help you keep your mind sharp.
Alter Your Routine
A very simple way to keep your mind sharp is to keep your mind guessing. Our minds can easily switch to autopilot mode as we go through the motions of our daily routine. We often do the same thing, the same way, day in and day out. Make a conscious effort to alter your routine. Try brushing your teeth with your opposite hand or taking a different route to the grocery store. Your mind will stay sharp as it focuses on how to adapt to these small changes in your usual routine.
Diversify Your Word Games
Crosswords and word search puzzles are great ways to engage the mind. However, if you only work one or two types of word games, you’re doing your mind a disservice. Consider diversifying your word games so that you stimulate different areas of your brain. Crossword puzzles are great for vocabulary recollection, but they don’t necessarily help improve memory. Branch out by working a word jumble or Sudoku puzzle. These puzzles engage other areas of the brain so that you can help keep your mind limber and sharp.
Give Mindfulness a Try
Mindfulness is a form of meditation that focuses on bringing awareness to the present moment, acknowledging what you feel or sense without any judgment. It decreases stress and anxiety, while improving attention and sleep. It’s completely free and can be practiced at any time throughout the day. Give mindfulness a try at your next meal. Turn off the television so that you focus solely on your meal. Pause before you eat and inhale the aromas of the foods. As you chew each bite, bring awareness to the varying tastes and textures you’re experiencing. Take your time, resisting the urge to rush through the meal.
Keep Learning
Higher levels of education are associated with better mental functioning in older age. The process of learning activates individual brain cells and stimulates communication among them. While most adults have jobs that keep them mentally active, older adults lose opportunities to keep learning when they retire. However, hobbies can function in the same way as a job that once kept seniors mentally active.
Consider taking up watercolor, pottery, gardening, woodworking, baking, knitting, cooking, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. Now that you have more time, pursue that hobby that was once pushed aside while you were busy raising a family and working towards your career goals.
Another way to engage your mind is to partner with Visiting Angels Oshkosh. We offer a variety of senior home care services that enable seniors to live a higher quality of life in the comfort of their own home. Our compassionate caregivers look forward to forming a companionship with you. Your caregiver can introduce you to new word games or assist you with a new hobby, while keeping you safe at home. To learn more about our comprehensive senior home care services, please contact us today by calling 920-312-7000.