A Sharp Mind

[admin]

How to Keep Your Mind Young

As people age, they worry that they will become forgetful or have a certain amount of memory loss. But that doesn't have to happen. You can keep your mind young and fit.

Your mind is like your body. If you don't use certain muscles they tend to become weak and flabby, but if you use them all of the time, they stay strong, healthy and toned. The mind needs exercise, too. Most people look forward to retirement, but once they reach the age where they can retire, they simply don't know what to do with themselves. They may take a vacation and do some things they've wanted to do; however, before long, they get bored. There are people who are unable to work due to health problems and as such they may not get the mental and/or physical stimulation that their minds and bodies need. There's no need to give up hope though because there are several things you can do to keep your mind young.

The important key to keeping your mind young is keeping it active. One of the easiest ways to keep your mind active is by reading. Read about current events or read a good mystery novel. Read whatever interests you. Play games. Yes, that's right. Playing games can help to keep your mind sharp. Play solitaire and do crosswords. Take a class. If your health permits and you can attend a class outside of the home, then by all means, do so. If not, take an online class. Your mind is constantly learning, and learning keeps the mind young and active. If financial restraints prevent you from taking a class, watch the newspaper and local bulletins for classes that are offered free of charge.

You can also get instruction books from the local library. Teach yourself to draw, paint or do needlepoint. Develop one of your hobbies and turn it into a craft. People often have hobbies such as woodworking that they are quite good at. If this is the case with you, you might be able to turn your craft into a profit. Check with your local area for permit requirements.

Don't be afraid to try new things. The mind is stimulated when we are actively engaged in learning. For instance, you can expand your vocabulary. Make a commitment to learn one new word a day. That includes its spelling, alternate spellings and all definitions. If that's too daunting to begin with try learning one new word each week. Try reading a poem and memorizing the lines. This little exercise can help to improve your memory. Start off with a short poem at first, and move on to longer ones when you feel you're ready. We may not be able to stop aging, but its effects don't have to be negative. Keep your mind young by staying mentally active.

by Darlene Zagata

[Esther Bird]

This blog entry interests me because as a certified coach for women, I present workshops and speak to groups on this topic. My workshops are titled "Stay Young Mentally and Emotionally." I believe it's very important that we strive to continue to act and feel youthful and there are many things that we can do to accomplish this. If anyone is interested in having me speak to their group on this topic, I can be contacted at 941-266-9578.

[Bonita]

Another way of keeping your mind active is taking tai chi at either the wellness center or the senior friendship center. It challenges both sides of the brain and when you first start you can see which side of your brain is less active. After a few classes you see and feel so much better and find that your balance, posture and many other things begin improving because your using both sides of your brain.