Active Aging Presented by Public Health Seattle-King County
As we age, our brains naturally decline, causing issues that affect our daily lives and independence. Fortunately, engaging in creative activities can strengthen our minds and offer other meaningful benefits. We’ve provided a list of creative activities to keep your mind sharp and your life vibrant and fun.
Why It’s Important to Keep Our Minds Sharp
When we experience decreased cognitive functioning, daily tasks that once came easily are suddenly challenging. We may start forgetting things, misplacing items, and having difficulty concentrating or completing complex tasks. Conversations with others can be difficult as we repeat the same stories or struggle to find the words to express ourselves.
Like our muscles, our brains benefit from regular exercise to keep them strong. Challenging the brain with new activities that involve learning new skills strengthens it and preserves cognitive function. If we keep our brains strong, we’ll be better able to manage daily tasks and maintain our independence.
How Are Creative Activities Brain-Boosting?
One of the best ways to boost our brains is through creative activities. In addition to learning new skills, these activities often require fine motor skills that can improve coordination. These pursuits also provide a sense of accomplishment that combats the feelings of irrelevance many seniors experience. Many find the activities fun and stress-relieving. Plus, they are an outlet for self-expression during a phase in life that often presents many changes, losses, and challenges.
Top Creative Activities for Seniors
Here are some brain-boosting creative activities to try:
Visual Arts
Visual arts such as painting, drawing, and sculpting enhance fine motor skills and encourage self-expression. Whether picking up a previous interest or starting as a beginner, these endeavors can be done easily at home with simple materials. Seniors can improve hand-eye coordination using multiple tools such as pens, paint, brushes, and sculpting tools. By planning out a piece, they engage problem-solving skills.
Photography and Digital Arts
Photography encourages us to be more observant of our surroundings. We can learn new skills, such as composition and lighting, to create higher-quality photography. Digital arts like graphic design provide an opportunity to learn new technologies.
Process Art
Process art focuses on exploration, experimentation, and self-discovery rather than the result. Seniors can explore materials and techniques senses without worrying about the final product. Since process art often involves engaging with materials on a sensory level, it often involves natural materials, painting with your fingers, or shaping clay. Seniors with decreased motor skills or memory may particularly enjoy this type of art.
Crafting
The options for crafting are endless. Not only are there many options to explore, but most also produce functional or decorative results. You can knit or crochet a blanket or piece of clothing, build a birdhouse or container out of wood or metal, or design a piece of jewelry. Repurpose items around your home or found at thrift stores. All of this is done while utilizing fine motor skills, problem-solving, and other cognitive skills.
Puzzles and Games
Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and games like Sudoku enhance problem-solving skills, reasoning, and critical thinking. Many apps are specifically designed to improve cognitive skills like memory.
Play a Musical Instrument
With more time available, retirement can be the perfect time to learn to play that instrument you always dreamed about. Reading and playing music improve coordination and concentration and are another outlet for self-expression. Find a local teacher or videos online to support your efforts.
Writing
Now may be the time to write the book you have been noodling over. Maybe you prefer poetry or enjoy journaling. Writing engages imagination, self-reflection, expressing emotions, and organizing thoughts. Joining a creative or other writing group provides an encouraging space for feedback and social interaction.
Dance
Dancing is not only a creative outlet; it also gets the heart pumping, which is great for cardiovascular health. Learning new dance steps improves coordination and memory. Ballroom and line dancing are fun ways to meet new people.
Gardening
Gardening connects seniors with nature, and it has known mental and therapeutic benefits. From designing garden plots to arranging flowers, seniors can express their artistic flair. Gardening is also a physically challenging activity and can be social if you find clubs or community gardens to participate in.
Theater
Community theatres offer many opportunities to engage in this art form. Acting involves memorizing lines, getting into character, and interacting with others to bring a story to life. If you prefer being behind the scenes, you can get involved by working with lighting, sound, or set design. Being a part of a performance and seeing it all come together is a rewarding and collaborative feat.
Ready to embrace the joy and benefits of creativity? You may discover a new talent, passion, or purpose.
Active Aging is presented by Public Health- Seattle & King County. Public Health- Seattle & King County recognizes the important and untold stories of innovation, service, and sacrifice by the Black community and supports efforts to improve equity and achieve social justice. We want everyone to get health insurance and access health care. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/health for health insurance, flu and COVID-19 testing locations.
