If you’ve noticed an increase in the amount of attention being paid to brain health lately, you aren’t alone. As the number of older adults continues to grow, more resources are emphasizing how to age well. While physical fitness has always garnered a lot of attention from medical professionals, brain health is now becoming a focus too.
In honor of Brain Awareness Week, we are sharing a list of things you can do to keep your brain in tip-top shape for as long as possible.
Keeping Your Brain Healthy as You Grow Older
1. Use it or lose it
Most people know the best way to keep your bones and muscles healthy is by exercising them. Your brain needs a work out just like the rest of your body. Tasks like reading, writing, and playing games can all help keep your mind active.
2. Socialize
Another great way to protect cognitive health is by staying engaged with your local community. New research shows that isolation negatively impacts the body, mind, and spirit. Participating in an intergenerational program at your church or synagogue, joining a local senior center, or connecting with a retiree group are just a few ideas to consider.
3. Volunteer
Most people think of volunteering as something we do to help others. While that is true, researchers say older adults themselves benefit greatly from the experience. Among the many benefits are lower rates of depression and anxiety.
4. Eat healthy
Researchers from the Blue Zones, those areas around the globe where people live longer, healthier lives, believe that lifestyle choices may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the hallmarks of the Blue Zones is diet. Residents in these areas eat a diet that consists largely of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. Meat is consumed only a few times a month.
5. Keep moving
According to WebMD, three days a week of moderate exercise can keep your body and mind healthier. That’s because exercise helps you manage your weight and avoid conditions, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, that may lead to memory loss.
6. Lifelong learning
Stimulating your brain by learning new things also protects cognitive health. Whether it is a musical instrument, an artistic endeavor, or a foreign language, tackling a new hobby is good for your brain.
An Innovative Approach to Senior Living
At Five Star Senior Living communities, we know about the important connection between body, mind, and spirit. That’s why we developed our Lifestyle360 program. This active approach to community living is designed to nurture the five dimensions of wellness: social, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional.
Each of our communities offers at least one activity per day to boost each of the five dimensions of wellness. From watercolor painting to journaling, pet therapy, and fishing trips, we help older adults live their best quality of life every day.
Contact a Five Star Senior Living community near you to learn more about Lifestyle360 program!
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