Keeping your brain active as you age is an important goal, and there’s many fun ways to do it! Try these 4 activities to sharpen your mind and improve your memory.
Games and Puzzles
Enjoy working out your brain by regularly doing puzzles and playing board games with those you love! Even just trying a word and logic puzzle gives you all of the same benefits as completing them correctly. As you’re finding games and puzzles to test, don’t be intimidated by tiny print or pieces: many versions are made with larger pieces and print to be enjoyed by seniors.
Math puzzles and online interactive games are other fun ideas that can stimulate your mind. Games that involve numerical patterns, like Sudoku, require problem-solving skills that can improve decision-making. These activities can be done independently or with friends and family to get the added benefits of socializing.
Socialize
Although you may not realize it, spending time with those you love and remaining engaged as you age greatly impacts your health. Schedule socializing into your calendar as a daily or weekly tradition to give yourself more things to look forward to!
Remember, meeting new people can feel intimidating, but you won’t regret the courageous act of stepping outside of your comfort zone to make new friends!
Spending time with others and engaging in conversation will combat depression, isolation, and loneliness. Socializing provides numerous other benefits, including:
- Decreased stress and risk of depression
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Increased lifespan and improved immune system
- Higher likelihood of exercising regularly
- Greater self-esteem and sense of worth
Stimulating Your Senses
Activities that stimulate multiple senses will engage your imagination and increase joint dexterity in your hands! Arts and crafts are a great example of an activity that doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate to do this.
Bingo is a leisurely game that can be played with others and stimulates the senses through sound (listening to the numbers that are called), touch (dabbing the card), and sight (reading the card). You can also consider trying jigsaw puzzles as a way to relax, reduce blood pressure, and slow your breathing rate—making it an ideal activity for older folks with busy minds.
Trivia
Trivia games are a friendly competition that keep you laughing while improving your memory retention and recall! You can find endless topics pertaining to your hobbies and interests online or through your local library. If you’re feeling especially creative, you can even design your own trivia questions! Make it an event, gather some friends or family, and create some treasured memories together.
At The Canopy, our care facilities are designed to provide as many great experiences as possible. Give our staff a call today at (386) 515-7215 or visit us online and check out the wide range of activities our locations have to offer.
