Usually, the term cognitive development is associated with babies and children. While it may not be a prerogative for many adults to think about doing something that enhances their cognitive capacity, they should do so, mainly because cognition is one of the four fitness categories that can add up to 15 years onto their life and quite impact the mental condition of those extra years.
We can be many years younger than what our chronological age shows. This is possible by making certain lifestyle choices, among those that tax or stimulate the brain. Research over the last 20 years also has confirmed that specific regions in the adult brain can produce new neurons and synaptic gaps. In essence, whenever we see something new, engage in new activities or even reflect a new concept, the brain will rewire itself in concert with these activities. Just like babies, adults can also keep expanding their brain and protect its cognitive functioning as they age.
There are many concrete ways to build greater cognition and to reduce the chances of developing diminished cognitive capacity, dementia, or Alzheimer’s next in life, all of which make us act and feel old. Dementia is neurological disarray that affects our ability to think, talk, rationalize, remember and even have any bodily movement. We must follow some pointers for dealing with dementia and its most common cause – an immutable brain disease that destroys memory, executive and motor function step by step, Alzheimer’s! Here are some tips for aged people to ensure their cognitive abilities won’t decline and lead to severe mental illnesses like Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and the likes;
1.Exercise to mend your cognitive function
Exercise increases blood flow to the hippo campus part of the brain which is responsible for memory. Thus it goes without saying that fit people have better cognitive functioning. There are countless other studies which prove that exercise increases one’s ability to learn, handle stressful situations, make clear decisions, and recall facts and memories.
2. Watch ‘intriguing’ TV shows and read more
Watching TV is cognitively enriching when it takes some effort on our part to understand what we are watching or fires questions, ideas or “aha” moments. The same holds for reading if it means food for our brain. A celebrity tabloid magazine takes less brain power to flip through than compared to a health magazine or a sci-fi book. After reading or watching TV, try to recall what you just learned. This exercise boosts our brain’s retentive power.
3. Embrace new hobbies
You can enrich your cognitive skills by taking on a new dynamic pursuit that demands to learn, as opposed to merely attending a baseball game or a rock concert. Hobbies such as gardening, antiquing, learning any musical instrument, learning a foreign language or selling items on the internet. All of this learning activity fosters new connections between neurons, which can offset cell loss caused due to aging or disease
4.Unlock puzzles, Play Indoor games
Puzzles are excellent for forming new connections in the brain. Other than the regular crosswords which are a favorite brain teaser for many elder age people, there are also several types of puzzles which include acrostics, syllacrostics, cryptograms, and numerous other brain teasers, such as Sudoku. The takeaway fact is that puzzles or indoor games like board/card games are excellent for our brain as each new puzzle/game establishes unique neuronal connections in the brain as well as invigorate one’s zest for life while maintaining healthy relations with grandchildren or family members while playing indoor games.
5. Visit workshops – Be a student again!
Active learning involves attending workshops, conferences, and other gatherings where professionals in their respective fields share their knowledge thus offering us a way to build cognitive function. Likewise, getting enrolled in non-degree classes like a correspondence or distance learning course can bestow opportunities to connect with others of similar interests and learn new things.
6.Overcome Stress and Depression
Depressed people and those with extraordinary amounts of stress are more likely to suffer from cognitive problems than those who hardly suffer any stress or depression. While medications can at best subdue the symptoms causing anxiety and depression, they can neither rectify the problem nor help you get to the root causes of it, which is vital. Hence, it is essential to conquering stress and depression in more natural ways like exercise, meditation, naps, personal counseling, hobbies that relax you and other techniques such as goal setting, spiritual growth, career rejuvenation, etc.
Mental dementia and Alzheimers are among the leading mental illnesses among the old age people and tackling them with a healthy lifestyle that promotes cognitive skill even before they arise is the smartest insurance that safeguards us from being attacked by such diseases in the future.
At Anvayaa we understand the emergence of mental health, and we strive to keep your parents’ health as a paramount concern. We offer various health care services ranging from regular health check-ups, fixing doctor appointments, delivery of medicines, physiotherapy at home and arranging home visits. Apart from health care, it is essential to spend quality time of happiness and contentment to keep the mental health in place. Anvayaa also provides leisure care that includes assisted day outings, picnics, and surprise events for your parents.
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