en English
en Englishes Spanish
TBSS logo

How Do You Stay Mentally Fit?

Positive Senior woman in meditation pose while smiling at camera

When you’re fit, it means that you’re on top of your game both physically and mentally

Published: September 21, 2021

Category: Educational

As we age, staying fit is something that becomes less of a hobby and more of a necessity. When you’re fit, it means that you’re on top of your game both physically and mentally. We’ve already discussed the ways in which you can stay physically fit (article link), but what about staying mentally sharp?

There are a lot of ways in which you can stay on your A-Game when it comes to training your brain. These can include:

  • Picking up hobbies.
  • Download apps that will stimulate your brain.
  • Spending more time reading and writing.
  • Learning new things.

Pick up hobbies

Whether it be birdwatching, art or chess, there are multiple hobbies that are both fun and mentally stimulating for seniors. In fact, there are so many hobbies out there, it’s hard not to get involved with one, mainly because they come with so many benefits. There are multiple benefits to having hobbies, and perhaps the greatest perk is the fact that they are a stress reliever. Whenever people work on their hobbies, they do it as a way of getting their mind off of any stress they’re holding, whether it be work or family related. Another great benefit is the fact that it’s a chance to get better at something you enjoy doing, which is an exciting feeling altogether, because if it’s something you can excel in, it’s something you could make an income out of. Take art for an example. Let’s also think about the popular saying, practice makes perfect. When you are working on your art in a consistent manner, you will begin to get noticeably better, which can result in you being able to sell your artwork for a source of side income.

Other benefits to hobbies include the prevention of getting bored, they can be helpful in boosting your self-esteem, they allow you to take some time to enjoy your own company and they can help your overall health, especially if the hobbies that you pick up are more physically demanding.

Download apps that will stimulate your brain

There are hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of apps circulating that specialize in brain stimulation, meaning there are just too many to name! These types of apps can range from word puzzles to riddles and pattern games. Not to mention, most of these games are designed to have hundreds of levels that continue to get harder.

The great thing about these apps is that they help you stay mentally fit in a way that’s fun. And, depending on the app that you download, you will even continue to learn things, whether they be words, terms or strategies.

Apps that are perfect for training your brain include WordBubbles, Lumosity, Rosetta Stone’s Fit Brains and more.

But it doesn’t have to be limited to apps on your phone, tablet or computer. There are other stimulating games that you can find outside of technology. These include word searches, crossword puzzles or games of sudoku that you can print off from your computer or find in your local newspaper.

Spend more time reading and writing

Take some time every day to read something that you enjoy, as well as write about something. Challenge yourself to devote an hour of your day to reading. Whether you read in 15 or 30-minute intervals, reading has a lot of positives. There are millions of books throughout the United States alone, and reading is an activity that never grows old. Many seniors are religious, and a great way to stay in-tune with their spiritual beliefs is to read scriptures from the Bible, Torah, Quran and more. This is a great way to keep their brain active because scriptures and passages are meant to be thought-provoking. Other seniors enjoy reading thrillers or mystery novels that always keep them on their toes. This is also a great way to keep their brain active because they are actively working to solve clues. No matter what genre or style of book you read, it’s sure to keep your mind on its A-game.

And, not to mention, writing is just as valuable as reading. Try to write for at least 10 to 15 minutes a day if you’re able to — whether it be in a journal or on a device. You can write about anything, and “anything” can range from what your plans for the day are, what you dreamt about the previous night, a story you’re writing for your grandchildren.

Learn new things

No matter how old we are, and how wise we get, there is always something new that we can learn. You can learn new skills, instruments, languages and more to keep you mentally sharp and at the top of your game.

  • Skills. The best part about skills is the fact that you don’t necessarily need to go back to school in order to learn a new skill. These could be artistic practices, social practices like mahjong, pinochle, gin and more, or they could be more cooking practices, like adopting new cooking styles or trying your hand at baking. All of these, and more, will allow you to become better at something new and discover just how much is out there that you can pick up on. Additionally, learning new skills doesn’t just keep you at the top of your game, but it also gives you the opportunity to bond with your family and friends. When you begin to practice and develop a skill, you’re able to share what you know with your loved ones, and teaching them is a great opportunity to be able to spend more time together. Whether it be teaching your grandchildren a new recipe you’ve learned, or your friends a new painting technique, learning and teaching a new skill is a great way to stay mentally fit and close to those you love.
  • Instruments. The top instruments for seniors to learn include the guitar, harmonica and piano. Instruments are great tools to learn, and one of the main reasons why goes back to the fact that they relieve stress. It’s also worth noting the beneficial feeling you get when you notice yourself getting better. Depending on where you live, there are music centers that specialize in helping beginners learn a new instrument. You can also hire a professional to visit you at your home to teach you, look up YouTube videos to learn a song or two, or have a friend share what he or she knows. Trust us when we say that learning a new instrument is a great way to stay sharp!
  • Languages. There are hundreds upon hundreds of languages throughout the world. This means that there is an endless amount of languages that you can pick up. Many seniors enjoy travelling during their retirement, and learning some new phrases and words is a great way to show off what you know. Depending on where you’re living, there could be language learning centers near you that will offer classes in many available languages. Or, if you prefer to learn on your own time, there are websites like Rosetta Stone or apps like Duolingo that will teach you any language you desire.

Staying mentally fit is something that everyone can benefit from, not just seniors. There are multiple ways in which you can do this, including picking up hobbies, downloading apps that will stimulate your brain, spending more time reading and writing, and learning new things. Each has its own individual advantages, but the collective advantage about them all is that they keep your mind sharp in the long run.

For more tips and tricks on how you can stay sharp, visit more of The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) blogs. Our mission is to inform and educate seniors about Medicare, financial services and more while connecting them with licensed insurance agents, so they can spend less time worrying about retirement and more time enjoying it. Visit our website or call us at 855-979-8277 to get started with us today.