Maintaining your mental fitness is as important as staying physically fit, and often the two go hand in hand. Factors such as having regular physical exercise; staying well; seeing your doctor when you are unwell and having a good diet all contribute to good mental health.
We can also exercise our mental health. ‘Use it or lose it’ still applies. There are a number of ways that the mind can be exercised e.g.:
- Keep up with events and news.
- Cultivate a curious mind. Ask people more questions than you might otherwise and talk less.
- Stay connected with family and friends. Try to make new friends. Talk to someone you don’t know or perhaps someone much older or much younger than yourself.
- Invite someone for a meal; even for a sandwich at the park. Eating with others not only increases your appetite and makes food taste better it also creates an environment where you can be part of discussions that make you think.
- Expose yourself to new things e.g., try a card game you have never tried before; go somewhere you haven’t been before; try different food etc.
- Stretch your thinking by enrolling in continuing education classes or University of the Third Age.
- Learn new skills – for example using a smart phone. This can be a great skill to have for peace of mind and security as it allows you to keep in contact with friends and family while out and about. It’s also a great way to keep in contact with the grandchildren.
- Learn a new language.
- If you are not enjoying the benefits of the internet join up with Senior Hangouts. They are a group where the focus is teaching and learning computer skills. This is done in a peer tutoring environment and means that you don’t have ‘some young thing’ whizzing you through a course that leaves you feeling breathless and discouraged. You will be with others who understand your trepidation.
- Many older people are finding computers liberating and empowering e.g. email helps you keep in touch with your family and friends. Remember, the people of your generation invented computers! If you feel confident with computers you might like to offer some of your expertise to SeniorNet.
- Keep doing your crosswords and puzzles.
- Look for new solutions to problems and avoid the old ones that don’t work anymore and just make you angry.
- Become an advocate for positive changes eg join a lobby group such as Grey Power. You may not make a difference on your own but join with others and much more can be achieved.
- Record your life history. It’s great for the memory as well as for the genealogists who follow behind you.
Updated: 4 Nov 2022