As you age, so does your mind. Cognitive decline, also called cognitive impairment, reduces the brain’s ability to learn, retain information, remember and make judgments. Mild cognitive decline occurs with regular aging, but it can also indicate more severe conditions, such as dementia.
The effects of cognitive decline can be frustrating and significantly decrease the quality of life for older adults and their families.
According to the CDC, it can also invoke feelings of distress, and in some cases, depression. Growing research indicates that there are easy to adopt ways to counteract the cognitive effects of an aging mind.
Start reading and journaling
Get a notebook and start writing down your thoughts. Writing is a mentally stimulating and complex cognitive activity.
You May Also Like
According to a study published in Neurology, regularly reading and writing is connected to the prevention of memory loss. It can also be a powerful self-help method to destress, process life events and track changes in your cognitive thinking. Completing puzzles and other brain-stimulating activities, like playing an instrument, have a similar effect on cognitive function.
If you’re unsure about how to journal, spend a couple of minutes writing down your thoughts or simply recapping your day.
RELATED: Gratitude Journaling Made Easy!
Be social
Regular social interactions and connections protect memory and cognitive function in older adults.
You May Also Like
According to Harvard Health Publishing, research indicates that frequent engagement and social interaction reinforce neural networks and
