Getting older comes with a lot of complications, and while it can be tempting to become complacent after retirement, it is very important to keep active, both body and mind, as that will ensure that however long you live will be more pleasant. That is why one of the most fun and important things you can do for yourself is find puzzles, games and activities that engage your brain and create new neural pathways, so that you are less prone to having memory issues.
But not all activities are created equal, while everything you do matters and it is also important to have hobbies that you do for pure enjoyment (life is too long to be miserable even if it is for health reasons) they types of mental exercises that help are limited and should be done regularly. Who knows, maybe you will learn to enjoy things you never did before.
The best puzzle to maintain your memory as your age
The most recognized exercise that is known to simulate the brain is no other than chess. While it has gained popularity over the past few years, it is a game that has been around for millennia, and for good reason. It is a game of strategy, encourages out of the box thinking and problem solving, and there is always more to learn.
This game is especially good if you try to remember strategies, overtures and other techniques, as always challenging yourself to do better can definitely help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and even delay the onset of dementia, but for this to be effective you must play regularly.
The best thing is that you do not even need to try to improve your capabilities to see results, although it will be better if you do, plus you will have more fun if you actually try to win rather than just go along for the ride. The brain subconsciously performs a lot of tasks for us, like processing information and recognizing patterns, so the longer you play, the more connections will be made resulting in a stronger memory over time. Plus, since you need to have some kind of strategy to try to win, it will help you remember or keep problem solving methods and improve your reasoning and thoughtful decision-making.
Another pro of chess is the social aspect. You can, of course, play against a computer, and while that has a lot of appeal to newbies because you can adjust the difficulty level to keep up with your learning, it is a lot more fun if you do it with others. As with any other hobby, this can encourage you to create a community, make new friends and interact with people of all ages and backgrounds which also helps keep you young. Regular interaction with others also helps counteract the first signs of depression, so even if you are set on playing online join the chat room and play against a real person every once in a while, even if you are thoroughly trounced.
Of course, chess is just the vehicle for improving your brain and cognitive abilities, the real challenge is to keep up the good habit of playing regularly, contacting other humans and getting out of the house even if it to walk to the park and play there on your own device. Keeping up with our body is a full time job as we become older, and it needs to be taken seriously because the consequences are not fun.
Plus, the sooner you start and the more people you meet, the more chances you will have to continue to live a fulfilling life with an amazing brain.