Hopefully the holidays brought much joy and time with friends and family!
As we move into our coldest months of the year, we all try to find ways to stay active while indoors.
For some of us, we consider these activities, or hobbies, something we get to enjoy when we have the time.
But, did you know that keeping up with hobbies is very important to seniors? Primarily, seniors with early memory issues such as dementia or Alzheimer's can see great benefits from their hobbies. Anything that requires them to think through their actions will get the brain firing and working.
Not only can it help seniors with dementia, it can also help prevent it!
That's right! According to a recent study by the Mayo Clinic, you can read it here, having a hobby can help prevent or delay memory issues.
Things as simple as knitting, daily bible study, arts and crafts, cross-stitch, reading or joining a book club, crosswords, etc.
All these activities require your brain to function at a higher level than it does while watching TV or other less-stimulating activities.
Remember, the brain is like a muscle. In order to keep it going strong, we need to work it out!
Obviously, there is no guarantee that having a hobby can altogether prevent diseases like Alzheimer's. Researchers are still working hard to tackle this issue. But, it certainly cannot hurt. The more we do to keep our brains working, the better!
When it's cold, like today, it is the perfect time to start a fun, new hobby or bring out an old one. It's also a great time to sit and spend time with your loved one.
Maybe you can ask them to teach you their hobby?
