Brain Fitness for Seniors

This morning, I was wandering the web looking for blog post ideas, when I ran  across a brief MayoClinic.com article on starting your own walking group. Walking (like any exercise) is good for the brain, and getting together in a group, making a commitment, and making it social (also good for the brain) sounded like a good idea.  I was about to build on their article, when it occured to me…

Why not take it a step farther, and start a brain fitness group?

It shouldn’t be that complicated to set up.  Just organize a group of friends, families, neighbors, or co-workers who are interested in improving and maintaining their brains, and willing to commit to it.   It could be an in-person organization, or an online group that “meets” via an email list, or facebook, and engages in a variety of brain-boosting activities.

Activities might include walking tours of local parks and attractions, game nights, trips to museums, brain healthy cooking classes, restaurant nights that featured brain-nutrient-rich meals(and, of course, red wine!),  with each activity followed up by a brief walk and brain-healthy refreshments, of course!

How to get started?

1.  Build Interest & Gather The Group: Talk to family and friends, post a notice about the group at the library, at the local Senior Center, at the community fitness club, on local mailing lists.

2.  Decide the Basics: Will you meet in person, or just set activities and motivate each other from a distance/online?  Will you keep things simple (focusing on walking for exercise, or playing games, for example) or plan a variety of different sorts of activities? How often will you meet?  If you plan to go to a variety of locations (parks, restaurants, museums, etc) who will drive, and where will you meet up?  What’s the price range of the activities group members are able to participate in? Will one person plan the activities or will you take turns?

The organization can be as simple or as complicated as the group likes – the fun part is in exploring a variety of different activities and how they can benefit brain health.

3.  Keep the Momentum! It’s important to keep things rolling and active, with new things to do each week, even if the whole group doesn’t get together to do them.  Encourage and challenge one another.   Maybe plan once a month brain-check tests and assessments.   But most of all, keep it fun, interesting and encouraging!

So, what do you think? Sound fun?

Please let me know if you try this idea out …. and send me an invitation, too, please!

Don’t miss out on Dakim’s “Give Thanks for Loved Ones” Contest, running now through November 5th.  You could win a $2500 brain fitness system for a senior friend or family member!