One in every seven seniors has a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. However, continuing to stay mentally stimulated in retirement can support your cognitive health and overall wellness, helping you to enjoy a rich and varied senior lifestyle in Springfield, MO.
In this guide, we outline some of our top recommendations for intellectual wellness activities to keep your brain healthy.
Joining a book club is a great way to meet people and get you reading.An afternoon spent absorbed in a page-turning novel is excellent for your brain health, making it the perfect pastime when you reach retirement age.
Reading boosts your memory skills, and when discussing book ideas in a group, you'll improve your critical thinking and communication skills. Reading as part of a group will also help you step out of your comfort zone and try challenging genres that you may not have read before.
If you want to keep your brain sharp, it's never too late to learn something new. Take a class in Springfield in a subject that interests you.
The beauty of retirement is that you are free to learn what you want, without having to worry about limitations such as choosing topics that help advance your career. Take an art, writing, technology, or history class and become an expert in something that interests you.
Alternatively, you can join an online classroom on platforms like Udemy, which has thousands of courses and topics for you to browse.
If you have dreams of becoming an author, age shouldn't stop you from pursuing them. Use your free time to write, or join a creative writing workshop to learn some helpful techniques. Writing is a therapeutic and creative outlet that keeps your brain active.
If creative writing seems overwhelming, consider setting a smaller goal, such as keeping a journal. You could create a basic diary to record your daily activities, or turn it into a mindfulness practice by writing a gratitude journal each morning. Either way, it's a method that can help your mental health and sharpen your cognitive skills.
If you want an activity that will keep your brain cells as busy as possible, take on the task of learning a new language.This helps with memory, problem-solving, and communication skills.
You might already have a preference for what language you learn. If not, consider something that you can use in a practical setting, such as the native language of your favorite vacation destination.
Sign language is often a fun and unusual choice to opt for, and will help you communicate with hard-of-hearing residents in a senior living community.
Giving your brain a workout is easier than you think. A few puzzles and games will push all your brain cells to get moving, which can help protect you from age-related cognitive decline.
For a fun afternoon that supports your intellectual wellness, try one of these ideas:
These games improve your memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. They also make an excellent social activity, and if you are in a senior living community, it's a fantastic way to spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and neighbors.
If you have a topic that fascinates you, attending a guest seminar can be a rewarding and memorable experience.Consider speaking with the staff at your senior living community to arrange an afternoon where an expert can talk about their profession.
That could be a veteran sharing their experience in a war, a local author explaining how they got into writing and published their first book, or an online security expert offering advice on how to stay safe from scams and hackers.
Genealogy is a fascinating subject and a good way to keep your mind active as a long-term project. There are numerous websites available nowadays that can help you discover your family history.
It demands deep research and problem-solving skills. What's great about doing an activity like this in retirement is that it gives you an excuse to have regular contact with your extended family, and you may even discover long-lost relatives.
If you are passionate about films, consider setting up a film club or joining an existing one in Springfield or your senior living community.
Film clubs provide an opportunity to discuss storylines, film techniques, and trivia, making them ideal for enhancing memory recall and promoting critical thinking.
Additionally, it's a perfect social activity for meeting other seniors who share similar interests. In your senior living community, you could even arrange a movie night to watch your favorite genre as a group, complete with popcorn and themed decorations.
Learning a musical instrument activates plenty of brain cells. You'll need to learn music notation, understand different music genres, and fine-tune your technique. The latter is also beneficial for fine motor skills, which become increasingly essential as you age.
Try a beginner-friendly online tutorial or sign up with a music teacher in Springfield. You can also subscribe to online music apps, which will guide you through some of the basics. This is ideal if you want to practice behind closed doors until you have learned a few tunes.
Looking after your health as you enter retirement is not just about staying physically fit but protecting your cognitive health too. Try some of these recommendations for intellectual wellness activities to keep your brain active.
At Springhouse Village, we take a holistic approach to wellbeing, designing weekly activities that help residents protect their physical, mental, and emotional health. With beautiful outdoor spaces and calming communal areas, you'll find everything you need for an active and social retirement lifestyle. Book a tour to discover if we're the right fit for you.