Mental stimulation is essential for keeping diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia at bay. It’s an important preemptive step to keeping a sharp and focused mind. Exercising and keeping our minds active have been linked with better cognitive function and better memory retention. Mental exercises such as reading, learning something new, listening to music, practicing hand-eye coordination, and arithmetic skills are known to be beneficial. Performing this on a regular basis works the brain out and keeps you or your loved ones mentally strong.
Better Health
Exercising your mind not only leads to a healthier brain but also a healthier body. Performing tasks such as reading, mind games, and other forms of mental stimulation helps not only strengthen your mind but relax it as well. By relaxing our minds, we lower our stress levels. Stress is the number one factor in a host of different health problems. Increased stress can reduce the ability to retain information and recall memories. Having something for the mind to focus on it can alleviate the stress of other factors on the body. For those that suffer from depression and anxiety, practicing mental exercises and achieving a relaxed state of mind results in a decrease in symptoms, making you or your loved ones feel happier and healthier.
A Sense of Accomplishment
Retiring from work can sometimes leave us a little purposeless. However, dedicating time in the day to learning something new can help you or your loved ones feel more accomplished and gives you something to look forward to every day, whether it is picking up a new instrument or language or even just reading a book. It can seem daunting to pick up a new hobby but break it down into easier components and set out small goals to begin with. Avoid picking something out of your depths as frustration can cause you to quit or feel inadequate. New hobbies and creative pursuits can lead to a feeling of renewed purpose.
Maintaining Healthy Relationships
Entering your golden years can sometimes isolate you from the people in your life. Even more so when conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s are involved. The lines of communication become even harder to navigate. Performing mental stimulation exercises regularly helps keep communication open with the people you love. Having simple conversations every day can keep the mind active and sharp. It also improves cognitive ability and staves off other mental health problems such as depression and anxiety as we keep in contact and have good communication with the people we love. It will also leave you or your loved ones more confident to talk to other people and meet new people in life. Social companionship is so important when going through life.
The importance of keeping your mind mentally stimulated cannot be underestimated. We need our brain to function well in order for our quality of life to remain. Aston Gardens At The Courtyards has different living options to suit your or your loved ones’ needs, including the SHINE® Memory Care program that specializes in aiding those who are experiencing cognitive loss. Feel free to contact us to find out more about our programs.
