According to Scientific American, around half of adults over the age of 70 remain mentally sharp as they age. While genes account for as much as 50% of physical and cognitive changes in aging, healthy living can make a big difference as well, allowing you to have a certain level of control over the changes that occur.
If you're a senior living in the central Arizona town of Prescott Valley, it's essential to introduce some intellectual wellness activities into your life. The right activities can help keep your brain sharp and allow you to age well.
Ready to give your mind a workout? In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the best brain-stimulating routines for older adults in Prescott Valley, AZ.
If you want to boost intellectual wellness and stimulate your brain, getting creative is one of the best ways to do it. Creating art and taking part in artistic endeavors is a great way to utilize your mind while also having a lot of fun doing it.
Whether you're painting a beautiful mountain scene or you're knitting a piece of clothing, creative hobbies are a great way to fill your time and feel an amazing sense of accomplishment.
Consider thinking about some artistic and creative pursuits you've always thought about trying, and then plunge in. Doing so can be well worth it if you have a goal of improving your cognitive wellness in aging.
Although visual arts and crafts can be great for stimulating the mind, participating in music is also one of the very best senior enrichment ideas. Consider learning a new musical instrument such as the guitar, the harmonica, the clarinet, or any other instrument that you feel curious about. Learning an instrument can stretch your mind as well as your fingers, providing a sense of joy and fulfillment in your life, no matter what your age.
Alternatively, consider simply listening to your favorite music more often and more intently. Indulging in music listening offers many positive benefits and can increase your mood and stimulate your mind.
Games aren't just good for a few minutes of fun, but can be useful for boosting your mind power and are great memory support activities. Of course, certain games will be more intellectually stimulating than others.
To really boost your cognitive abilities and train your brain, consider doing brain games and puzzles such as:
Many types of games can help to stimulate you intellectually and can help you feel that you're working your mind, so don't be afraid to make gaming a part of your weekly brain-stimulating routines.
If you want to get even more benefit out of playing brain games, then consider making the activity into a social one. Consider playing trivia or cards with family members or other seniors in assisted living to bring the many positive benefits of socializing into your life at the same time.
No matter how old you are and no matter whether you ever plan to visit a foreign country, learning a new language can be a rewarding experience. Consider delving deep and learning all about a language that interests you, whether that's Spanish, French, Japanese, or another foreign language.
Learning a different language, even if you don't become fluent, can train your mind and cause you to think in new ways.
Here are some ways that you can start developing skills in a new language:
Learning in later life will definitely stimulate you intellectually and will be a challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun.
If you want to stay intellectually stimulated as a senior living in Prescott Valley, consider making reading a larger part of your life. Reading is a beneficial activity that is a great alternative to watching TV.
Although reading online articles can be a great place to start, don't be afraid to grab a novel or a nonfiction book and spend some serious time getting lost in the stories that are told.
Reading can be a great way to relax your mind and cope with stress, while at the same time, learn new things and stretch your mind in various ways. Even better is to make reading a social activity, so consider joining a book club to discuss books with others and to stay motivated as you start reading more regularly.
While reading words on a page can be a great way to stimulate your mind and curiosity, putting them down onto a page yourself can be an even greater challenge. Consider spending some time writing, in whatever form you may choose. Writing stories, poems, or even songs can be a great way to generate ideas and experience the joy of creating.
Of course, journaling can also be well worth it. Simply writing about your day and your emotions or keeping a gratitude journalcan be a great way to improve your mental health and feel a sense of joy and ease.
Journaling has numerous benefits to those who do it regularly and is often recommended by therapists, so consider starting a journal if you want to experience these mental benefits.
Participating in intellectual wellness activities is essential if you want to have an amazing quality of life as a senior. By looking for ways to expand your mind and keep your brain sharp, you'll be sure to reap the rewards.
If you're looking for a senior living community in Prescott Valley, be sure to consider Glassford Place. We offer amazing amenities such as restaurant-style dining and a community activity center, so you'll love our pet-friendly senior community.
Interested in learning more about senior living in Prescott Valley? Get in touch with us today to learn more about what Glassford Place has to offer seniors in Arizona.