| You have probably heard people say that the best | | | | will exercise and challenge your mind. Most card and |
| way to keep your mind sharp after retirement is to | | | | board games, even internet games, challenge you to |
| exercise it. This "use-it-or-lose-it thinking" is the | | | | think in specific ways. Playing regularly reinforces your |
| subject of much debate. Many are deeply committed | | | | ability to think strategically or on the basis of the |
| to this belief while others are skeptical. Although I | | | | ability to remember previous plays, etc. |
| cannot tell you mental activity will prevent | | | | 4. Get involved in a community project. Every |
| Alzheimer's, I do believe mental activity will prevent | | | | community has ongoing or short-term projects to |
| mental atrophy. The brain works by sending | | | | help members of the community or to improve the |
| messages across nerve connections. The more we | | | | quality of life for residents in some way. Finding and |
| use and reinforce those connections, the better our | | | | becoming involved in a project that resonates with |
| mind and memory work. So, to that end, here are | | | | you values will put you in contact with other people |
| ten great ways to challenge your mind in retirement. | | | | who will challenge you to think creatively and logically |
| 1. Take a course or class. Whether you take | | | | to solve problems or perform tasks. This is a great |
| advantage of a bible study at your place of worship, | | | | way to use what you have learned in life and the |
| audit a college course or sign up for an adult | | | | skills you perfected on the job. And, you will almost |
| education course offered in your community, learning | | | | certainly come away from the experience with a |
| something new creates new mental connections and | | | | sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. |
| reinforces the connections that enable you to think in | | | | 5. Take a part-time job doing something different. |
| certain ways. Taking a class is also a great way to | | | | Taking a part-time job after retirement will help you |
| meet people with similar interests. You can get even | | | | learn new things and meet people with different |
| more out of the course by joining or creating a | | | | interests and backgrounds. Many people who take |
| discussion group to talk about what you are learning | | | | part-time jobs after retirement choose something |
| outside of class. | | | | completely different from their careers. This is a nice |
| 2. Join a reading discussion group. Most public libraries | | | | change of pace, but it can also be a very good way |
| and other local organizations and institutions | | | | to challenge your mind. Learn something new, meet |
| coordinate reading groups. Small groups of people | | | | new people, and maybe help some others in some |
| who enjoy reading choose books and gather weekly | | | | way. |
| to discuss the book they have chosen. Some groups | | | | There are many wonderful ways to challenge your |
| include literature teachers, critics or other experts. | | | | mind after retirement. Taking a course or class, |
| Reading expands the horizons of the mind. These | | | | joining a reading discussion group, joining a card or |
| discussion groups offer social contact, a structure to | | | | game club, getting involved in a community project, |
| keep you reading, and new insights. If you can't find | | | | or taking a part-time job all have something else in |
| a group in your community, then start one. | | | | common: they give you new opportunities to interact |
| 3. Join a card or game club. Whether you play bridge, | | | | with other people on a regular basis. Our interactions |
| canasta, rummy, pinochle, chess, checkers or other | | | | with others also challenge our minds. So, get out |
| games, join a club that plays regularly. You will have | | | | there and do something fun and exciting to challenge |
| fun, great conversation with other players, and you | | | | your mind! |