Do you ever wish you were as mentally sharp as you were when you were younger? Well, if you’re spending your retirement doing nothing but lounging around and watching TV, then that alone is a sign that your cognitive health is declining. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can affect individuals across a wide range of ages, but they most commonly manifest in older adults, typically after the age of 65. This is what you need to be concerned about once you hit your retirement years because the risk becomes so high. For the most part, it’s not all too hard to focus on cognitive health.
Have you ever seen old men at the local park playing chess? Well, that’s good for your cognitive health. Have you noticed that senior centers offer a lot of activities for seniors? Well, it’s not just to keep them socially active, but it’s to help their cognitive abilities, too. Actually, most video games are good for cognitive health, so why not pick that up?
Investing in cognitive health early and maintaining these habits over time can significantly impact long-term brain health and quality of life. Plus, there is a physical aspect of it, too, helping your body in that regard too. So, it’s easy to do, so here’s exactly what you need to know!
Keep Your Mind and Body Engaged
You know that staying active isn’t just good for the body—it’s also a boon for your mind! That’s why you really need to make it a habit to incorporate physical exercise into your daily routine. It’s up to you how you want to go about this, like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, a gentle yoga session, or even a spot of gardening; moving your body helps boost blood flow to your brain and keeps those cognitive wheels turning.
But when it comes to staying active, it’s not just about your body; again, your mind and body are intertwined, and you should still focus on your brain. For example, you could play games with people (like that example of playing a game of chess with people at the park or local community center, you can do puzzles, play video games, get social, reading; it’s about exercising both the brain and the mind. Some elderly folks will take classes at their local college; some colleges will even offer these for free.
Nourish the Mind and Brain
You’ve probably heard of this so many times, but your body is a temple, and it needs to be treated that way. Have you ever heard of “eating a rainbow”? Well, this doesn’t mean colorful junk food. You should fill your plate with a rainbow of nutrient-rich foods—fresh fruits, leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins. And don’t forget to add in those brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts, and seeds. Doctors are going to tell you to do this; technically, everyone at every age should be doing this.
Are You Getting Quality Sleep?
Your brain loves nothing more than a good night’s rest; the same can be said for your body too. So, why not set the stage for a restful slumber by creating a relaxing bedtime routine? It’s not just about the routine but the sleep itself. Is your bed catered to your body? Do you get back pain from the bed? Also, how much sleep are you getting? You need to aim for those seven to eight hours of blissful shut-eye each night.
Keep Connected
Unfortunately, old age is usually accompanied by loneliness; sadly, the two seem to go together. But it doesn’t necessarily need to be like this, however. You have to keep those social connections strong by reaching out to friends, family, and neighbors. Join a club, attend community events, or simply enjoy a chat over a coffee.
Overall, meaningful conversations and shared experiences are like nourishment for the soul, helping to keep your mind sharp and your heart full. Plus, senior community centers offer free social activities for the local seniors.
Keep Feeding Your Curiosity
You’re never too old to learn something new! Now, read that again, and maybe one more time. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Now, let your curiosity be your guide as you keep continuing with lifelong learning. It was mentioned earlier already about taking free college classes, so that’s an option, but you could also take a class at the local community center, attend a lecture, or explore a new hobby that ignites your passion.
This could even be a book or watching some YouTube tutorials. But learning keeps your mind agile and engaged, opening up a world of endless possibilities and enriching experiences.
Practice Mindfulness
This is probably something that is taught with age, so go ahead and start on this now. Now, your life as a retiree probably isn’t that busy, right? With this old age, you’ll need to finally find sanctuary in the stillness of the present moment. Again, most old folks tend to do this as their life become less busy; those little things usually become more easily noticed. But start embracing the practice of mindfulness, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the here and now.
But while this is usually known for understanding your surroundings more, how could this even help with cognitive health? Well, it’s through meditation, releasing pent-up stress, deep breathing, and just reflecting on your actions. It’s about clarity, staying calm, and emotional resilience, which are all needed for cognitive health.
Keep On Traveling
Now, this probably surprises people, but it’s true! Traveling can actually help your cognitive health! Just think about it for a moment: If you’re getting the chance to venture beyond the familiar and into the realm of the unknown, you’re having to use your brain more, right? This gives you a chance to be stimulated in different ways, such as the environment, the scents, the sounds, feelings, the taste of the food, and even spiritually. In general, you’re out of your comfort zone when you travel so your brain needs to be more heightened.
