It’s a fact that as we age, we need to work to keep mentally strong. A lot goes into staying mentally healthy, but one thing we can do to help is to adopt behaviors and activities to keep our minds active.
Exercising your brain doesn’t need to be complicated or a chore! Ivy Knoll, an assisted living facility in northern Kentucky, shares four tips to keep your mind sharp while having fun.
Host A Game Night
Playing games is a great way to keep your mind active while enjoying yourself. Whatever your interest is, there’s a game available to keep you feeling sharp.
- Crosswords: Crossword puzzles and word games are fantastic for stimulating your mind.
- Trivia: Playing a trivia game online or with friends or family is a great way to work in mental exercise.
- Puzzles: a jigsaw puzzle engages your mind, and you’ll get to keep the finished product. Completing a puzzle can be a great way to relax after a long day or can be done with friends.
- Board Games: Games like Snakes & Ladders or Monopoly can be a brain-stimulating way to pass the time.
- Video Games: Many people believe that video games are just for teenagers. However, there are countless games to play online or on a console that can bring you hours of entertainment and some cognitive benefits.
Pick Up a Good Book
When was the last time you picked up a good book? Reading is a fantastic way to keep yourself entertained while learning something new.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute found getting lost in a book can strengthen memory skills in older adults.
Flex Your Creative Muscles
Ivy Knoll offers opportunities to get creative, no matter your interest.
Gardening is a fantastic way to relax and socialize. Spending time outside is also a great way to ensure you get enough Vitamin D. Time outdoors positively impacts mental health.
Ivy Knoll’s “Green Thumb Club” is an option for those who want to start or continue their love for gardening. The herbs and vegetables grown in the community garden are used on-site for resident meals.
Cooking is another way to get creative while engaging your brain. Ivy Knoll offers residents a cooking class, “Cooking With Megan.” Students can learn to cook a variety of new meals using local ingredients.
Painting, drawing, or sketching is another way to keep your mind active. Starting from scratch on a canvas or even picking up a coloring book keeps your hands and brain busy.
Knitting, crochet, or crafting is an option for those who like to keep their hands busy! Tapping into a creative skill like knitting is also a great way to keep practicing hand-eye coordination.
Learn a New Skill
It’s never too late to learn something new. Picking up a hobby you’ve been interested in, or one you used to practice is an excellent way to exercise your mind.
Learning a new language can be a great tool to practice memory retention, and practicing can be entertaining. It can be highly motivational to learn a new word or phrase.
Some helpful tools to use to get started are:
Picking up a new instrument is another way to engage your brain while learning something useful. You can learn independently through guidebooks and online resources or in-person lessons. Either way, music can be a great tool in keeping your mind occupied and expanding your existing knowledge.
Stay Entertained and Engaged in an Independent Living Facility.
Stay at a vibrant, independent retirement community in northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area.
Contact us online or over the phone at (859) 481-3800 for more information about scheduling an in-person tour of Ivy Knoll’s independent living community.