Staying Mentally Healthy

:: by Janet Shapan ::

The light of understanding is shining brighter when it comes to the human mind. For too long culture has presumed that little could be done to preserve or enhance the capabilities of our brains. But those days are gone.

Leaders in science are peeling back the layers of the human mind and revealing an incredible pattern-making organ that is constantly interacting with the world and essentially learning how to adapt and grow. The brain’s capacity to stay active and in peak condition relies on consistent stimulation just as our bodies rely on physical exercise.

Even as senior citizens, it is absolutely wrong thinking to assume that poor brain functioning is inevitable. Science is demonstrating the brain’s capacity to actually grow new neurons and expand its capacities despite age. Severe declines in mental health are most often associated with some type of disease whereas memory loss or diminished motor skills are more likely caused by our failure to stay active in our older years. If seniors don’t engage the mind with consistent forms of mental exercise, you will face real loss that is difficult to retrieve.

Because our brains are pattern making machines, we have a tendency to observe life and quickly dismiss the wonder right in front of us. Unlike a child, we no longer have curiosity and the drive to discover new things or try something new. When was the last time you saw or heard something on the news that struck your curiosity and sent you scurrying to the computer or library to learn more? These learning moments are literally a call to engage in life and keep your brain fit.

Sometimes brain fitness can be as simple as doing something you routinely do but in a different way. For example, try to tie the knot in your shoes using reverse motion. Just like learning as a kid, it will feel almost impossible but in that moment you are engaging your mind to learn a new skill. Or try writing your name or brushing your teeth with your left hand if you are right handed. Let the process be fun. Find a task or a topic to study every week. Get on the computer and play with hundreds of brain games that will stimulate your mind and help pass the time.

Another excellent way to stimulate the mind is simply traveling to places you have not been before. Too many seniors are reluctant to stray too far from home. Like rats in a maze, the fear of getting lost overpowers the desire to see a new place.
Here are some day to day tips to help keep the senior mind alert…

• Engage all your sense every single day. Smell, touch, hearing, seeing, tasting, textures, hardness etc.
• Communicate with friends and spouses using different methods e.g. eyes only, facial expressions, no hands.
• Take on some of your daily tasks but do it with your eyes closed. Can you feel your way?
• Multi-task with the senses…actively use your seeing and hearing capacities at the same time and pay attention to slight distinctions.
• Get out of daily routines-do things in different order; try to accomplish a task in a completely different way.
• Travel about on new roads. Get to the store a new way. Drive home on a different route. Shut off the radio while driving and listen to the sounds.

For seniors, the key is to stay playful with life. Have fun. Be curious. Learn something everyday. Be attentive. Engage the senses. Smile. It is good to be living this very moment!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janet Shapan, has been a publisher, writer and media designer in the special interest magazine business for over 25 years. A Boomer, her passion is identifying current innovations in health, wellness and other lifestyle categories and translating it to other like-minded individuals. We welcome your comments and suggestions at <a title=”Livingsenior.org” href=”http://Livingsenior.org” target=”_blank”>http://For-Seniors.org</a>