Interested in keeping your mind sharp?
Millions of older adults fear losing their memory and mental faculties as they age each year. Here’s what’s even more daunting… two out of three Americans will experience cognitive impairment at some point in their lives.
The bright side?
There are plenty of activities you can do to help keep your brain functioning properly. Bonus: Most of these activities are free, easy to do, and even enjoyable.
What You’ll Learn
- Why Cognitive Health Is Important For Seniors
- Exercise Improves Cognitive Health
- Social Activities Boost Brain Health
- Mental Exercises To Keep Your Brain Sharp
- Building Daily Habits For A Healthy Brain
Why Cognitive Health Is Important For Seniors
Okay, but what exactly does cognitive health entail?
Cognitive health determines how well a person thinks, learns, and remembers on a daily basis.
Let’s dig deeper:
There are changes in cognitive function that are normal as we age. However, when decline starts to kick in, it can lead to problems like mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Prevention and slowing down this progression is key.
That’s where living in a quality senior living community can really help. Having activities and opportunities to socialize with friends and family keeps seniors mentally engaged. Families exploring life at Cura Living will find a community where your loved one can thrive through daily activities and social interaction.
Research has shown that remaining active, both mentally and physically, is one of the best ways to maintain cognitive abilities as we get older.
Exercise Improves Cognitive Health
Working out provides many benefits. It keeps our bodies healthy and functioning properly.
But did you know exercise can also keep your mind in shape too?
Research shows…
When you exercise, your body increases blood flow to your brain. This helps transport nutrients that allow your brain cells to perform at their best. In fact, regular exercise can even promote new brain cell connections.
And get this…
Regular physical activity led to improved cognitive processing speed, making people’s brains work like they were up to four years younger than their actual age.
Some of the best exercises for cognitive health are:
- Walking or jogging
- Swimming
- Dance
- Gardening
- Yoga
You don’t have to go hard at the gym to get great results. Lighter exercises still provide benefits for your cognitive health. Going for a stroll around the block or doing housework count too!
One study showed…
Cognitive decline was nearly twice as prevalent for people who didn’t exercise than those who did. That just goes to show how important exercise is for our brains.
Social Activities Boost Brain Health
Here’s a fun fact you may not have known…
Socialization is just as crucial as exercise for keeping your mind fit.
When we interact with others, it stimulates our brains too!
Whether it’s talking with friends, playing cards, or simply eating dinner with family. All of these activities require you to use your brain.
By staying social, you can:
- Lower your chances of cognitive decline
- Improve memory and thinking abilities
- Reduce rates of depression (affects cognitive health)
- Feel more connected and have a purpose
Participating in social activities is easy when you live in a senior living community. There are always events being offered and activities you can do with friends. You will never run out of ways to stay social at Cura Living.
Spending too much time alone can actually cause someone’s cognitive health to deteriorate faster. Just like exercise, socialization is brain exercise.
Mental Exercises To Keep Your Brain Sharp
Our brains, just like our bodies, need exercise to stay healthy.
Let’s explore this idea a bit further:
Use it or lose it. The saying couldn’t be any more true when it comes to your brain. By challenging your brain on a daily basis, you can build up what’s known as “cognitive reserve.”
This “cognitive reserve” can help prevent age-related decline. Here are some activities that can help exercise your brain:
- Reading
- Doing puzzles
- Learning a new hobby
- Playing cards/board games
- Taking classes
Don’t forget about variety. Doing the same puzzle or type of brain game every day will become mundane. Your brain enjoys being challenged with different games and activities.
If you typically read books, start playing cards with friends. Someone who gardens could take up dancing. It’s all about forcing your brain to come up with new neural pathways.
Building Daily Habits For A Healthy Brain
You shouldn’t wait until you start experiencing memory problems to keep your brain healthy. Just like building a house, you need to start with strong foundations.
Some of the best foundations for a healthy brain are:
- Getting enough sleep each night
- Eating a healthy diet
- Reducing stress
- Exercising regularly
- Staying social
- Learning new things
Cool huh? You don’t need expensive medications or therapies to keep your brain healthy. By simply making these lifestyle changes, you can boost your cognitive health.
Here’s the thing…
Doing multiple activities we listed above will have a greater impact than just one. Someone who exercises, stays social, and plays brain games will have more benefits than someone who just does one of those activities.
That’s why living at Cura Living is so beneficial for your brain. We offer everything listed above and more! From fitness classes and nutrition options to continue learning and exploring your hobbies, we have something for everyone.
Wrap Up
So there you have it, folks. Several activities that can help you boost cognitive health as you age.
Here’s your recap:
- Exercise helps improve cognitive abilities
- Socialization provides brain stimulation
- Brain exercises allow you to build up a cognitive reserve
- Build daily habits and lifestyles that promote brain health
If there’s one thing you take away from this article, it’s that keeping your mind active is the best way to prevent cognitive decline. As long as you stay active, social, and keep learning, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Start small by incorporating one of these brain activities into your daily routine. Next week, try adding something new. Before you know it, these healthy habits will become second nature.
And that my friends, is how you stay sharp as you age.
