Maintaining good overall health is important as you age so you can be physically and mentally fit to live independently, whether you stay at home or in senior independent living apartments in Spring, TX. The structure of the brain changes as you age, which impacts memory and thinking abilities. Small changes add up when you want to keep your brain active, so here are five methods to better support cognitive functioning.
Eat Healthily
Choosing foods with the right vitamins contributes to a balanced diet that supports brain health. Antioxidant-rich foods like leafy greens and blueberries are great complements to your meal as they lower your risk of chronic stress-related illnesses like cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Fatty fish like salmon or tuna would be a good main dish as their DHA omega-3 fatty acids help protect the brain and reduce your risk of contracting Alzheimer’s. Our Sensations Dining chefs prepare nutritious meals all day to provide you with a healthy dining experience and can customize their menus to your dietary needs.
Improve Your Sleep Schedule
Ideally, you should sleep for around seven to eight hours per night. Studies have shown that getting insufficient or too much sleep can increase your likelihood of getting dementia. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule can also bring calm and consistency to your life. For better quality sleep, try meditating, disconnecting from electronic devices an hour before bedtime and avoiding overly heavy meals at dinner.
Learn Something New
Acquiring new skills can stimulate the brain as it trains memory improvement and regulates thoughts and feelings. As you have more free time in retirement, think of all the different hobbies you never had the time for, and find out how you can pursue them now. Be creative and do not limit yourself when choosing what skills to pick up! If you are unsure, you can always check out the event calendar at our community to see what new activities are available for you to try.
Reach Out When You Need Help
As you adapt to the changes of this new life phase, your psychological health may be affected, leading to conditions like anxiety and depression that worsen cognitive functioning and memory. Irritability and loss of interest or appetite are some indicators that you may need assistance with your mental health. Reach out to a loved one or talk about it with your friends from the independent living apartments who may also be experiencing something similar. Our Dimensions Health and Fitness program focuses on social and emotional health. Many activities are organized to help residents improve their wellness, such as social gatherings and religious studies.
Volunteer
One extremely rewarding way that helps you improve brain health is volunteering. When you spend time helping a cause that is meaningful to you, you achieve a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Taking part in volunteering allows you to stay active, socially engaged and connected with society.
