We can all agree that the winter months drag on here in the Northeast.
Staying busy during the cold weather helps to pass the time, and a perfect way to do so is by finding a new hobby or picking an old one back up to help stay occupied. Hobbies provide a sense of accomplishment and having a regular activity that becomes part of your loved ones’ routine can also be a mood booster and a great way to improve cognitive skills.
From getting lost in an excellent book to learning how to watercolor, here are some hobbies to try out this winter.
Journaling: Journaling exercises the mind and helps encourage positive self-talk and identify any triggers. Simple journal prompts such as “What did you do today? or “What are you grateful for?” can help with memory preservation. In addition, sitting down and writing before bed is a great way to unwind and create a nightly routine.
Knitting: The options are endless: a blanket, a stocking, a scarf, or a hat. The calming motions of knitting can help distract seniors from stress and anxiety, and following various patterns, whether simple or more complex, exercises the brain and improves memory.
Scrapbooking: Have your loved one tap into their creative side and create a scrapbook. Scrapbooking is a great way to reflect on fond memories with friends and family by looking through old photos, letters, and other trinkets. Make it fun by incorporating various supplies like buttons, ribbons, and stickers.
Painting: Art is therapeutic, and in addition to being a calming activity, painting can help to distract seniors with arthritis or other joint pain by taking their minds off any discomfort. With so many options for motifs to paint, there is no shortage for the art connoisseur.
Reading: Whether it’s a New York Times Best Seller or the daily newspaper, reading improves focus, memory, and communication skills. Reading is proven to slow the degenerative process of dementia and Alzheimer’s by working to strengthen memory retention.
Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles are one of the best ways to exercise your brain (right and left side) when you are older. They are proven to reduce stress, enhance short-term memory and offer a great activity to enjoy with a friend over a cup of tea.
Pick up one of these pastimes, and the warmer weather will be here before you know it. As they say… time flies when you’re having fun!