Four Ways to Engage Your Mind This Summer

June not only welcomes the summer season, but it also marks the beginning of hotter temperatures. The rising heat and humidity can cause many seniors to feel lethargic and fatigued. In fact, it can be dangerous for seniors to pursue physical activity when the heat index is high. Seniors too need to practice caution on days when the heat index is lower, as they are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Yet, living an inactive lifestyle all summer long isn’t the solution. Seniors can still pursue activities that engage their mind, even on the hottest of summer days.

Pursing activities that stimulate the mind not only helps seniors move past the lethargy caused by hotter temperatures, but it also can help protect them against mild cognitive impairment. According to the Mayo Clinic, seniors with normal cognition have a decreased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment later in their lives when they engage in brain stimulating activities. The great news is that according to this same study, participating in brain stimulating activities just one or two times per week can be beneficial in preventing mild cognitive impairment. Many seniors hear “brain engagement” and are immediately intimidated or aren’t sure where to begin. Don’t let the terminology prevent you from exercising your mind. As summer heats up, here are four ways to engage your mind.

Vary Your Word Games

What often comes to mind when seniors hear “brain stimulating activities” is working a crossword or word search puzzle. It is true that word puzzles are a great way to engage the mind. However, it’s better to vary your word games so that you stimulate different areas of your brain. For instance, crossword puzzles are great for vocabulary recollection, but they don’t necessarily help improve memory. Instead of completing a crossword puzzle every day, try branching out and work 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.

Practice Mindfulness

Another way to engage your mind is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is an activity that requires no preparation and can be completed at any time throughout the day. 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. A simple way to begin the practice of mindfulness is to slow down during meals. Turn off the television and focus solely on your meal. Pause before you eat to smell the aromas. As you chew each bite, bring awareness to the varying tastes and textures you’re experiencing. Genuinely enjoy your meal through the practice of mindfulness.

Modify Your Routine

Many seniors reach the point where they go about life as if on autopilot. They brush their teeth the same way, get dressed in the same order, and even take the same route on their walk around the neighborhood. Wake up your mind by modifying your routine. If you always brush your teeth with your right hand, switch it up and brush with your left. Try putting your shoes on in a different order, left-then-right, instead of right-then-left. Alter your route on your daily walk or take a different route to the grocery store. Change the location where you eat your meal or sit somewhere else to read your book. Little changes in your routine can help you feel more alert and keep your mind from operating solely on autopilot.

Pursue an Active Hobby

Finally, engage your mid by pursing an active hobby. Many seniors think about working word puzzles or reading more books when it comes to pursing brain stimulating activities. However, active hobbies often offer more mind-engagement and can focus the brain very similar to meditation. Consider watercolor, pottery, gardening, woodworking, baking, knitting, cooking, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. When you pursue a hobby that requires you to work with your hands, you engage even more areas of your mind while also working to improve dexterity.

Another way to engage your mind is to partner with Visiting Angels Punta Gorda. 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, so that your mind stays engaged all summer long. Together, you and your caregiver can have fun as you revisit a favorite hobby or learn a new word game. Contact us today by calling 941-347-8288 Punta Gorda or 239-226-1620 Cape Coral, and let us help you engage your mind this summer.