Activities Seniors Can Participate in to Fight Back Against an Aging Brain

As we age, our brains start to age as well. While knowledge and life experience leaps up, our day-to-day memory and cognitive functions start to fall off after we hit our mid-30s. Don’t give up all hope yet; there are plenty of things that seniors can do to improve their mental functionality and fight back against aging. Here are some activities that will help the senior in your life improve their overall brain health.

Aerobic Exercise

No, this doesn’t mean that granny needs to do jumping jacks and run up a flight of stairs. Aerobic exercise can be something as simple as walking around the house or neighborhood. Exercise has a plethora of studies linking it to increased brain function. Physical activity is important for humans at every walk of life from the young to the old. Now, if you are afraid that achy joints or back pain will prevent a senior’s ability to exercise, don’t worry, because walking is also a great way to combat the symptoms of arthritis and weak joints.

Writing by Hand

Sure, it’s easier to type words out, but there is something to be said for taking the time to write things down yourself. Besides all of the studies linking handwriting to improved memory, handwriting can also act as a form of social communication and artistic expression. Who doesn’t love getting a handwritten letter in the mail?

Video Games

This one may seem strange at first glance, but video games have time and time again been linked to increased focus, awareness, and memory. It doesn’t have to be the latest Call of Duty game; there are plenty of games targeted towards all audiences. Games as simple as Solitaire or Bejeweled work just fine and won’t cause grandpa to stay up all hours of the night shouting into a headset.

Mentally Stimulating Games

Video games aren’t the only kinds of games that stimulate the mind. The local crossword puzzle or Sudoku game stuffed into the back of your local newspaper work just as well. Sudoku, puzzles, scrabble, and crosswords are all positively linked to increased mental function.