Brain Exercises

Happy Aloha Sunday Ohana!

Often times when we think of a healthy lifestyle and healthy living habits, we primarily focus on the body. While it’s important to take part in healthy habits for our physical health, like working out and eating a balanced diet, it’s just as important to pay attention to our mental health. Just like physical exercising that benefits your body and muscles, mental exercises also play a critical role in strengthening and maintaining overall brain functions.

To help keep your brain as limber and fit as your muscles and body, we’ve put together a list of a few cognitive activities and memory games for our kupuna.

Simple Brain Exercises and Gognitive Activies for our Kupuna

THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATIONS

Conversations allow people to practice speaking, critical thinking, and many other cognitive aspects which stimulate and refresh their minds. This is especially important for older adults as people tend to withdraw from social interaction as they age.

MEDITATION

One of the best brain exercises for seniors is meditation. The reason for this is that meditation allows one to relax and focus on their thoughts and emotions. There are many free apps available that provide guided meditation for those unfamiliar with how to meditate.

ART CLASSES

Art is a great way to express one’s emotions and thoughts in a manner that practices hand-eye coordination and encourages a happier mood. Doing art activities, such as watercolor painting, allows the artist to self-reflect on their piece and the emotions which contributed to their creation. All of these benefits help keep your mind sharpened and your cognitive abilities strong.

LANGUAGE CLASSES

Practicing another language is a great way for seniors to practice their ability to speak, recall information and improve critical thinking. In fact, practicing languages is even said to help deter dementia in the elderly.

NATURE WALKS

If you’re able to comfortably walk for long stretches at a time, nature walks are another great brain exercise for seniors. Leisurely nature walks are said to promote socialization, independence, and feeling relaxed. This helps older adults feel connected to what is around them and to themselves. Keeping track of interesting landmarks and animals throughout your walk also helps keep your ability to recall details sharp.