Brain health is more than just having a good memory. It refers to all of the brain’s responsibilities: cognitive function, emotional function, sensory function, and motor function. Here are some fun and easy ways to improve your brain health.
Cognitive Function
Cognitive function is the ability to learn, remember, and think clearly. There are many activities that promote and even improve cognitive function.
- Engage in meaningful conversation. Don’t just talk about the weather- have an actual conversation of depth and purpose.
- Use the opposite hand for simple tasks such as brushing your teeth or for more difficult tasks such as writing or drawing.
- Play puzzles and word games. Make sure to choose new or more challenging options!
Emotional Function
Emotions are responses to environmental signals. There are many activities that can help improve our emotions or avoid negative ones such as frustration, boredom, or sadness.
- Exercise increases “feel good chemicals” and can improve confidence with improved fitness.
- Good nutrition supports emotional function. Check with your local nutritionist if you think your nutrition could use a boost.
- Heard of “waking up on the wrong side of the bed?” Healthy sleep habits also support emotional function. Make sure to get enough of quality sleep.
Sensory function
Sensory function refers to the senses of touch, pressure, temperature and pain. Balance is controlled by our sensory functions. Learn more about how our sensory functions affect balance as well as what you can do to improve it in this article by Elder Gym. https://eldergym.com/elderly-balance/
Motor Function
Motor function is defined as “the ability to learn or to demonstrate the skillful and efficient assumption, maintenance, modification, and control of voluntary postures and movement patterns.” Fine motor refers to using the small muscles in the hands and wrists. Gross motor refers to the large muscles of the body for walking, running, sitting, crawling , etc… It is important to improve both fine and gross motor functions.
Fine motor activities
- Squeeze a tennis or stress ball
- Sort coins or bills into denomination stacks
- Open bottles, food containers, medicine bottles
- Lace beads, sort jewelry or other small items
Large motor function activities- chair exercises
- Chair Exercises
- Resistance Band Workouts
- Walking
- Swimming or Water Aerobics
As always, ensure you get cleared by your doctor before engaging in new exercises or making changes to your diet. Almost Home is here to help families by offering quality & affordable Adult Day Care, Assisted Living & Family Consulting Services, including information and resources on how to keep yourself well. Contact us if you have any questions on how we can help you and your family.
