Hobbies to Keep Seniors Sharp

Prioritizing physical and mental health is paramount for seniors. Certainly, taking daily supplements and maintaining a healthy diet is important — but nothing compares to focusing on your brain health. Incorporating just one habit into your daily routine can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, boost your mood, and improve your cardiovascular health. Hobbies offer a great way to improve your brain health and have fun at the same time.

Below is a look at some of the best hobbies to keep seniors sharp. Investing in just one or two of these activities can help you boost your cognitive health.

Regular Exercise

Physical exercise is a must for people of all ages, including seniors. It offers a range of benefits, including improvements in your sleep habits, memory, and the way you think, learn, and problem solve while reducing anxiety and stress. All these benefits help improve cognitive functioning.  

The type of activity you do isn’t as important as making sure you stay active every day. Joining a walking club, taking part in an exercise class, or making use of the fitness center’s equipment are all good options. However, getting outside for 15-20 minutes each day can double the benefits. Nature therapy can also reduce anxiety and stress and boost memory, cognition, and general motor coordination.

Strategy Games and Puzzles

Playing games and puzzles are excellent hobbies for promoting brain health.  These activities can reinforce memory recall, problem solving, and critical thinking, which can boost your cognition.

Playing solo games, such as solitaire, memory, word finds, and crossword and jigsaw puzzles, can keep your mind fresh and alert. If you have a family member or friend who also enjoys this hobby, two-player games, including chess, checkers, Connect Four, and Battleship, are good options. You can also play group games, such as bingo, charades, and trivia games.

Digital Brain Training or Games 

Maintaining good brain health is as easy as grabbing your nearby tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device. There are thousands of online games and digital apps that can boost cognitive function. For starters, you can try some online puzzle games, such as word finds, crossword puzzles, hidden picture games, matching, and even jigsaw puzzles. You might also enjoy virtual coloring pages or paint-by-number apps.

If you prefer multiplayer games or a little friendly competition, there are hundreds of online options, such as chess, trivia, Words with Friends, and Scrabble. All these games help with memory recall, hand-eye coordination, and critical thinking, which can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Socialization With Friends and Family

Don’t underestimate the value of spending time with friends and family. The simple act of conversing with others promotes attention and memory recall and can boost your mood, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life. Studies show that people with strong social connections are at a reduced risk for cognitive decline.

Picking up a hobby or two is a great way to ensure you’re socializing with others. For instance:

• Join a club that interests you, such as a book, walking, or woodworking club.
• Participate in nightly happy hour events.
• Attend a lifetime learning program.
• Enjoy tending to plants at the community garden.
• Sign up for an arts and crafts event.
• Volunteer at a local charity.
• Attend weekly worship service or Bible study.
• Take bus trips to local attractions or events.

Cooking

Cooking is a multi-sensory activity. Just the act of planning and organizing your meals can improve executive function and boost memory recall. Additionally, following a recipe can improve your brain’s ability to retain information, problem solve, and follow directions. All these benefits can boost your cognitive function and help keep your brain sharp.

Homemade meals can also limit the level of processed foods and saturated fats in your diet. Many healthy foods also promote brain health and cognitive function, such as fish, leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, lentils, whole grains, and eggs. Incorporating these foods into your meals can improve your physical and mental health.

See What Brandermill Woods Has to Offer

At Brandermill Woods, we make it a priority to help our seniors stay sharp. Our range of amenities, including our art studio, greenhouse, game room, and woodworking shop, make it easy for you to engage with others while enjoying hobbies you like best. We also encourage residents to stay sharp by joining a club, taking a fitness class, or participating in one of the many daily activities available, including trivia, board games, and Bible study groups.

Take a look at our activities calendar to learn more. Call Brandermill Woods at (804) 621-7328 to schedule a tour today.