Make some music!
We can’t go out, but creating our own entertainment boosts brain power and lifts mood, so...
PICTURE the roads around your house and you might recall having seen one of those unassuming boxes that seem to have sprung up everywhere.
These cabinets contain the wires that bring broadband and phone lines to your area. If you look inside there is a mass of multi-coloured wires that are all connected.
This is what the brain looks like, too — a mass of wires called neurons connecting with one another. It is possible to create new circuits in the brain at any age. This is known as neuroplasticity.
What’s becoming increasingly clear is the importance of learning new things and seeing the world in a fresh way. This could include learning to play the piano or challenging long-held beliefs.
It’s also important to challenge yourself, too — and not just to reinforce a sense of capability.
A study published in Psychological Science found that adults aged 60 to 90 who were given a complex skill to learn, such as digital photography or quilting, significantly improved their memory after three months, whereas those who did simple crossword puzzles did not.
By increasing the brain’s activity we can increase its ability, just as much as we can improve strength and suppleness by increasing the body’s activity.
If you need some inspiration, here are some of the hobbies you can take on, and how they will help rejuvenate your mental acuity…
A MUSICAL BRAIN BOOST
NOW is the time to dust off the piano, or another musical instrument. Research suggests playing music improves reaction times, and may help age-related decline in hearing, as well as strengthen memory and increase blood flow to the brain.
If you don’t have access to an instrument, there are online programmes where you can teach yourself to read music and play the keyboard on the computer. Or you might consider phoning a local teacher to get a virtual lesson.
A LANGUAGE LIFT
MANY of us mean to learn a second language, but few of us find the time or motivation to actually do it. Well, now is your chance. You can learn online on platforms such as Duolingo and Babbel.
An experiment for the BBC programme Trust Me, I’m A Doctor found that those who attended a language class three times a week for four weeks performed better in cognitive tests that measured attention, memory and mental flexibility. The results were better in older participants aged over 56.
COGNITIVE CRAFTS
AN EXTENDED period at home is also a chance to develop your crafting skills — whether that’s knitting or embroidery.
A study of people over 70 found that those who knit had a ‘diminished chance of developing mild cognitive impairment and memory loss’.
PRACTISE PUZZLING
JIGSAWS are something we often have at home but only get out at Christmas, if that.
Now is the perfect time to dig them out and improve your puzzling skills. A 2018 study found that doing puzzles may help to slow down cognitive ageing as they require skills of memory and visuospatial cognition.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
ENGAGE all your senses and challenge yourself to bake something new, or try out a different cuisine at home.
Following a recipe requires concentration and the ability to juggle lots of skills. Try online learning at learning
withexperts.com, which offers group classes in mastering sourdough bread, vegan cookery and essential skills for home cooks for just over €30.
This could also be the chance to connect with new people without leaving home.
ONLINE LEARNING
FOR other online learning opportunities, look at the Open University website (open.edu/
openlearn) for free courses, or the University of the Third Age (ageaction.ie).
Life-long learning, particularly if it involves interaction with others, improves both cognitive and emotional wellbeing.
WORK ON BALANCE
TAI chi, Pilates, yoga or the Alexander Technique will help rewire your brain and improve your balance, reducing your risk of falling. Although a face-toface class is ideal, online routines are also very good. Look at the
mindbody.io app to find a virtual class near you.