Keeping your mind sharp as you age is a common concern. Also known as “brain fitness,” remaining mentally agile requires variety and curiosity. If most of your daily processes are now second nature to you or your daily crossword is no longer mentally stimulating, that’s a sign that you should shake up your brain with new ideas, routines, or challenges. Here are a few ways to do so.
Read something new.
Reading is a well-known way to stay mentally sharp, as it engages your mind and provides you with new perspectives. However, if you often read the same magazines, journals, or books, consider branching out with different types of reading materials. Imagining different time periods, cultures and peoples will give your brain a workout, while also arming you with plenty of interesting stories to tell about your reading.
Tell someone a story.
Speaking of stories, they’re important to tell if you’d like to solidify memories, interpret events, and share moments. But, did you know that storytelling also exercises your memory and improves interpersonal relationships? Storytelling even offers benefits to people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Practice telling your stories, both new and old, so that they are interesting, compelling, and fun.
Pick up a new skill.
Remember how fun it was to learn how to ride a bike, perfect your favorite recipe, or execute something career-related to perfection? Mimic the thrill of new experiences by learning a new skill. Learning a new skill works in multiple areas of the brain. Your memory comes into play, you learn new movements and you associate things differently. Plus, regularly learning or refining your skills keeps boredom at bay.
Oxford at Sonterra Apartments in San Antonio, Texas goes out of our way to ensure that you live the lifestyle you have always desired and deserved. These helpful tips go beyond the scope of services we offer in our community, in order to provide you with a more efficient routine.