During which the cognitive ability is more crucial to preserve, we have gathered information in this course that will help with that. It is important for elderly people to try out brain exercises that will assist them in improving estate memory as well as overall personality. Basic things like puzzles and reading are more than sufficient, but one can think of other types of exercises that help the brain in ways that you might not have considered. Here are 7 simple and fun brain stretching activities done specifically for seniors so as to enhance their trainability.
Do not think that it is impossible to enjoy doing these exercises as being a form of entertainment. Furthermore, they do not take much of one’s time anyway. The kinds of activities highlighted here take 5-15 minutes.
1. Mirror Writing
Duplex writing is when writing is done in a backward manner, and hence the text can only be read if mirrored. Sewing is good for fine motor skills, focus, and for helping the child develop an understanding of where things are in relation to one another. These can be as straightforward as the first steps of the writing process, where seniors can begin by writing individual words and then progress to writing sentences. It implicates all aspects of learning and involves both the right and left cerebral hemispheres leading to improved coordination and cognitive processes.
2. N-back Game
Memory exercise: N-back game involves identifying a particular item several steps back in a chain of the displayed figures. Indeed, it could not be easier, yet it is engaging mentally and certainly not devoid of a cerebral component. Seniors can also use it by having a deck of cards or there are more advanced ways such as mobile applications created to support N-back training. The former is beneficial as it fosters working memory and latter as it refocuses attention. Try an online N-back game or download a mobile app. If you are new to using smartphones, you can read this article.
3. Non-Dominant Hand Tasks
Doing activities with the dominant hand in the opposite way and performing simple actions such as brushing the teeth, eating, or writing with the non-dominant hand can greatly enhance the brain’s plasticity. It is a small change that challenges the brain to create many different pathways to get back into accurate coordination and adaptability. By doing so, in the long run, there are better ways of handling problems and enhanced mental flexibility. Read more about brain plasticity.
4. Story Cubes
Story cubes can be described as dice but with images from different narrations on the faces. Each word on the cubes may be rolled by the senior in order to come up with a story from the pictures on the cubes. People suggest it for creativity and speaking abilities development since it helps people to use their fantasy actively. It is an excellent activity to challenge your brain and can be performed independently or with the help of friends, which provides more enjoyment. Purchase story cubes or make your own.
5. Lateral Thinking Puzzles
Lateral thinking puzzles, also referred to as ‘ situation puzzles ’ indicate using creativity and unconventional or roundabout ways to solve particular problems. These puzzles offer a description of an event and its result that, at first glance, is rather unbelievable and demands clarification. To illustrate, the sort of puzzles used would be, “One day, a man goes to a bar to have water to drink, the bartender aims a gun at him, the man then bows and takes his leave, why?” By participating in such puzzles, the individual sharpens his or her problem-solving abilities and fosters creative thinking.
6. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
VTS is as simple as describing the drawings seen or elements that came to the mind, one can say and identify other aspects. This exercise also sharpens the visual notices and enhances quality and worthy discourses among students. It is an effective approach to help improve the necessary elements such as visual and cognitive abilities, the advantages of which are that the activity can be performed individually as well as in cooperation with the other participants.
7. Sensory Deprivation
Spend 5-10 minutes daily in the room with no light, no sound and no other stimuli; generally, this can be very beneficial, as other senses become enhanced once the subject is brought out of the sensory-deprivation environment. It is a very effective method to clean up the mind and leave it clear and focused on new goals. Read about the benefits of sensory deprivation.
The Bottom Line
These nerve correlates are not typical activity exercises and when incorporated into the regular activities of daily living, can benefit seniors in a fun and stimulating manner. Therefore, seniors should engage their brain and perform tasks that require different skills in order to improve the overall brain capabilities, creativity, and cognitive ability. Doing these activities can inculcate a sharper command over your mind as well as over emotional well being of the seniors leading to better quality of life and readiness to face challenges of an ever changing world.
