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Five Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp During the Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer are upon us and can leave even the most active person feeling sluggish and slow. It can be just as challenging to get out of bed on a hot summer day as it is when the outdoor temperature is colder. When the heat index is high and the air is filled with humidity, our brains want to take it easy. Although it’s tempting to sit around in the cool air conditioning while binge watching a favorite television show all day, it’s important to engage the brain, even on the hottest of days. Just as our bodies benefit from a variety of physical activity; our minds too benefit from engaging in various brain exercises. In fact, engaging in mentally stimulating activities can help protect older adults against mild cognitive impairment.

According to the Mayo Clinic, older adults with normal cognition have a decreased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment later in life when they participate in brain stimulating activities, such as computer games, crafts, or intellectual conversation. It doesn’t take much to ward off mild cognitive impairment; the Mayo Clinic reports that participating in such brain stimulating activities just one or two times per week can be beneficial. As summer heats up, here are five ways to keep your mind sharp.

Play a Game
Challenge your brain by playing a strategic game or working a word puzzle. Word puzzles and strategy games use the areas of your brain that are responsible for memory and recall. They also test logic, vocabulary, and mathematical skills. Crossword puzzles are great for working memory and recall. Sudoku puzzles work mathematical skills and logic. Word jumbles offer the biggest return for your effort as they work the frontal lobe of the brain, testing problem solving, memory, language, and judgement. Change it up and play a strategy game with a family member or friend. There is also a wealth of brain game apps that you can download and play on your smartphone or tablet. Whatever you choose, be sure to vary which games you play to keep your mind focused and sharp.

Work with Your Hands
Using your hands to manipulate and create is another way to keep your mind sharp. Craft hobbies can focus the brain very similar to meditation. Pick up an old hobby or try something new this summer. Here are just a few hobbies to consider: watercolor, pottery, gardening, woodworking, baking, knitting, cooking, building model sets, geocaching, jewelry design, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. If you don’t know where to start, check out hobby classes at your local library, or nearby craft store, hardware store, or garden center. By taking a hobby class, you can learn something new, even if you consider yourself a professional.

Vary Your Routine
So often our brains are on autopilot because we do the same thing, in the same way, over and over. We get ready for the day in the same order or take the same route on a walk or to run errands. Keep your brain guessing by varying your routine from time to time. Brush your teeth with your non-dominate hand. Take a different route to the grocery store. Reverse the route of your morning walk or find a new place to explore on foot. Change where you sit to drink your coffee and read the newspaper in the morning. You’ll feel more alert as you think of ways to change up how you navigate your day.

Keep a Journal
Recording your thoughts and daily activities have major health benefits. Writing allows us to process and retain information, keeps creativity flowing, and has meditative benefits. It can even improve your mood as you write about gratitude. Start simple by committing to write for 15 minutes, twice a week, or end your day by taking five minutes to record three things that you’re thankful for, for that day. As you write, focus on what you are thinking and feeling. In doing so, you’ll engage both the logical and creative hemispheres of your brain.

Keep Learning
Finally, keep learning. It’s never too late to learn something new. Whether it’s a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try, or those graduate level classes you’ve always wanted to audit, make it a goal to learn something new at least once a month. Look for free or low-cost educational seminars at the library or senior center. Join a support group specific to your health or emotional needs to learn new ways to improve. Check out a non-fiction book on a topic that interests you before you read another novel. Take that class about computers and smartphones, so you can learn how to better use your tech devices. Grab a friend to go with you and challenge each other outside of the class.

Learn something new with Visiting Angels Richmond. In addition to our in-home care senior services, we offer senior care services that teach older adults how to use technology. We can teach you how to video chat or help you set up and manage a social media account. Technology is constantly changing so there’s always something new to learn. Stay ahead of the curve and impress your grandchildren the next time they visit by signing up with us. Give us a call today to set up a free consultation and let us help you keep your mind sharp this summer.

Serving communities in the Metro Richmond Area including Richmond, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Henrico & Hanover Counties

Visiting Angels RICHMOND, VA
4914 Radford Ave #211
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-0000

Serving communities in the Metro Richmond Area including Richmond, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Henrico & Hanover Counties

Visiting Angels RICHMOND, VA
4914 Radford Ave #211
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-0000