We've all had those so-called “senior moments,” and the fact is, cognitive decline is a reality everyone faces as they get older. But there are plenty of ways to mitigate the mental effects of aging, helping prevent memory loss, impaired concentration, confusion, and other problems.
Even better, many of these solutions happen to be stimulating and fun, and they can even help ward of the more serious side of age-related cognitive decline: dementia. Fortunately for us, the many fantastic active-adult communities in Central Florida and their surroundings make it easy to engage in the sort of activities that help keep your mind sharp.
Here are 7 tips for staying keen as you age:
- Learn new things. The mental processes involved in learning are basically exercise for your brain, preventing atrophy and building its strength. Pursue new areas of study and pick up new hobbies. Continuing education programs, classes, seminars, and other instructive offerings at 55+ communities are convenient, effective opportunities to help keep your mind in top shape.
- Free up brain power for picking up and retaining new information by helping it out with the little things. It really can only focus on so many things over the course of the day. Use planners to remember appointments, always keep daily items like your keys and wallet in the same place, use pill organizers for medication, write down your shopping lists, keep paperwork organized in file folders, and so on.
- Use repetition at growing intervals for memory. Repetition is key to retaining new information, but most people do it wrong. It's not effective to just think or say something several times in a row. Repeat them a few times, but more importantly, repeat them at increasing intervals. Wait an hour after your initial repetitions, then another few hours, then even longer, and even repeat the next day.
- Get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day. Besides the long list of benefits to your physical health, cardiovascular workouts boost mental health too. Low-impact activities like brisk walking, hiking, swimming, water aerobics classes, bicycling, and kayaking are just some of the exercises it's easy to get right in your community.
- Eat a healthy diet based on whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and dairy, and whole grains should make up most of your diet; limit or avoid sodium, added sugar, artificial ingredients, processed foods, trans fat, and alcohol. Arrange healthy at-home meals with friends and neighbors and visit some of the great farmers markets around Central Florida for fresh, local, healthy foods.
- Focus on foods that boost brain power. Get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish, nuts, and seeds are good sources) and antioxidants (berries, green vegetables, nuts, beans, fish, tea, red wine, and dark chocolate are good sources). Whole grains and B vitamins are also essential to keeping your brain function at peak performance.
- Socialize! Most of us need no prompting for this one, but just in case, go interact with your neighbors and friends. Social activity is one of the most effective ways to keep yourself stimulated, keep your mood elevated, expose yourself to new ideas and interests, encounter new environments, learn, laugh, and otherwise keep your mind sharp.
