How to Keep an Active Mind in Retirement
As the expression goes, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste,” yet millions of retirees do just that. The fact is, the mind needs as much exercise as a person's body, and you'll run the risk of mental atrophy if you don't stimulate it each day. Although a cure for Alzheimer's is still on the horizon, there are things you can do to stay mentally alert.
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Instructions
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Do a puzzle each day. For example, most daily newspapers carry a crossword puzzle, with its difficulty increasing each day of the week. If you're new to doing them, you'll probably find them a challenge at first. But the more you do them, the easier they will become. In addition, some papers also print a daily Sudoku, or the relatively new Kakuro, both of which are terrific mind stimulators. You can also find them online. (See the Resources section.)
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Look for a part-time job that's totally different than what you were doing before you retired. There is no better way for you to keep your mind active than doing this, because you will need to learn something totally different. In addition, you will meet new people, a brain stimulator in its own right.
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Return to school. Take a class in a subject that is interesting to you. It can be as convenient as studying scripture at your house of worship, or attending one of the hundreds of adult education courses offered by your local high school or college. By doing this, you will help reestablish your ability to organize material and to think logically. Besides, you will meet others with similar interests from whom you will learn both inside and outside of class.
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Join or form a book club where you periodically meet with like-minded people to discuss books the group agrees to read. You will be obligated to set aside time to read the books--a great way to expand the parameters of your mind. The different opinions of the group can be stimulating. As an added attraction, consider inviting a book's author to meet with your group to discuss his or her work,
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Write your autobiography. You have accumulated a lifetime of knowledge and experiences that should be shared with others. And there is nothing more mentally stimulating than putting what you have learned on paper. Your book will be a valuable legacy for your family, and it might even be possible to make money by publishing it.
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