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Step 1
Accept the fact that hobbies are brain-builders. Hobbies are pleasurable. They jump-start chemical changes in the brain that trigger the imagination and help us solve problems. In a nutshell, your favorite hobby affects the way your brainwaves function, so not only will your mind work more efficiently while you're enjoying the activity, but your brainwaves will continue to behave that way after you put down the project. Name the hobby and you'll see the relationship. Need a financial solution? Step away from the checkbook and start the sewing machine. Family problems? Grab your decoy-carving equipment and mull your options. Endorphins flood the brain when it's engaged in pleasurable activities, so the answers you seek to everyday problems will not just arrive, they'll flood into your brain and be more innovative than ever.
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Step 2
Turn off the television. Did you know television numbs the senses, putting your nerves and brain synapses into napping mode? Are you aware that TV morphs armchair surfers into information-absorbing zombies? Watch the tube enough and your ability to problem-solve can be seriously impaired. This leads to forgetfulness and memory problems. Wean yourself off television and substitute a current hobby or one you haven't tackled for years. Make no mistake: Given our national addiction to TV, this isn't easy, but the payoff will be worth the effort. As a bonus, you'll discover that you didn't lose much of that soap opera storyline by skipping a couple of days.
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Step 3
Surprise yourself by satisfying a lifelong dream. Have you always wanted to play an instrument? Have you dreamed about being a cake-decorating diva? Thought how Scrabble® would be a fun game to play competitively? Jump right in. There's plenty of research to support the theory that a new hobby increases brain activity even more than an old one. New information and challenges push the mind into overdrive, and the stimulation pays dividends. There's no need to use money as an excuse to put off trying a new hobby, either. You'll find plenty of books and websites available to guide new hobbyists in the direction they wish to go--plus lots of low-cost classes at high schools and senior centers. Adding a few new friends to the mix is icing on the cake.
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Step 4
Tell stories with your hobby. Alzheimer's Australia, a newsletter published down under, lists storytelling as one of the best ways of stimulating the mature brain. Hobbies tell wonderful stories. Take up quilting, crewel or machine embroidery and feed your imagination. In addition to telling your own remarkable tale via your projects, you'll see an increase in attention and focus while stimulating your emotions and triggering memories--all of which get the brain synapses crackling. The imagery we call upon to dabble in old or new hobbies offers this gift. Expect daily--sometimes-hourly--doses of joy-inducing hormones and pleasure.
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Step 5
Help yourself battle stress and frustration. Unlike the behaviors of young hobbyists, maturity shows. Gone are the days of walking away from a project that's not jelling or abandoning it forever out of frustration. Hobbies help seniors enjoy the patience they've developed over time. They help reinforce the belief that when we return to the task, we'll have a fresh perspective. Having faith in positive results will keep you from pushing yourself relentlessly, turning a labor of love into an object of irritation. You will accept the fact that solutions to all kinds of dilemmas will be found in your creative expressions, will unfold on their own timetables and will frequently lead to experiences that exceed your wildest expectations.
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Step 6
Steal your grandchild's computer games. Sure, you've mastered sending out emails with JPEG attachments, and you take pride in being the only senior on the block who devotes part of the day to Google-ing your brains out. Now, use research developed by Israeli scientists to take it to the next level. Their study--in which 121 volunteers ages 50 and up used a game called MindFit to sharpen their recall and information-retention skills--resulted in spectacular findings. Statistically significant improvement in spatial short-term memory, learning and focus was found in every MindFit game player. There's no need to start shopping, either. There's a good chance you have access to a child who would be delighted to show you how to compete with the big kids using his console and stash of games. Do yourself a favor and ask. We should conclude with a warning: Seniors whose youngsters turn them into killer video-game competitors are in danger of being given the honor of "coolest aunt, uncle, grandparent or neighbor on the planet." Your job is to accept the crown with gratitude and modesty!
