Author: Chhy Chhy Yeak

We are constantly being told that exercise is good for us, meditating relaxes us, and eating healthy is important. But, is that really all we can do? For people with neurological disorders, movements may be restricted and eating healthy can be challenging -- especially if they are already struggling to pay their medical bills. So let’s get a bit more creative and provide others with more options on how we can live a little bit healthier. Here are 3 ways that we can stimulate our brains while relaxing and having fun!

1. Puzzles / Games

Remember the old days where board games and puzzles existed and you were able to get together with your friends and family to have a good time? You can still do that! Reminisce the fun times from the past and bring out those board games that were sitting around and collecting dust. Monopoly, Chess, or Checkers is a great start! Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, Crossword Puzzles, or even word searches are fun too. Studies have shown that playing games or puzzles can increase cognitive function -- especially in older adults (Ching-Teng, 2019). They can also improve our problem solving skills, memory, and even build stronger relationships with the people around us! So shop around for board games from thrift stores or if you are in the Seattle area, check out stores like the Blue Highway Games where you can sit down and try some games before buying them. They even have game nights you can attend! 

1. Journaling

Writing is an art that can help you express your feelings and concerns. Take out a sheet of paper and pencil and set a timer for at least 5 minutes every day. Write out everything on your mind -- your goals, what you’re grateful for, how you are feeling. If you get stuck, here is a great list of prompts to try. Journaling is important for our mental health because it helps us destress and focus on ourselves and it allows us to keep a record of our journey towards a happy life. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, journaling can help us recognize our concerns and prioritize the things that are important to us as we destress and focus on our thoughts. Journaling provides a feeling of freedom as you dump everything from your brain onto paper and it allows you to write what you want without a filter, giving you a space to heal and declutter your mind. Read this article for journaling tips to get started! Are you also interested in writing to a pen pal buddy? Sign up for our Plus One Pen Pals program and connect with someone through letters! 

1. Crocheting / Knitting 

Are you more of a person who likes to work with your hands? Coloring is a great option, but what about picking up some yarn and creating something that you can use for yourself or give to others? Crocheting and knitting are timeless skills that help improve our wellbeing and it gives us a creative medium to express our ideas. Research has shown that yarncraft can be therapeutic as it helps us focus, relax, and it teaches us patience and perseverance as we undo our mistakes one movement at a time (Corkhill, 2014). According to Lion Brand, other studies have shown that yarncraft can help with insomnia, anxiety, depression, and it may even relieve dementia! This means that crocheting or knitting is not only a fun learning experience, but it can provide important benefits for our health, but also for the people around us because we can give them our crafts to make others a little bit happier. This task might seem a little daunting at first, but with the right tools and resources, you can definitely give this a try! Check out this beginner supply set on Amazon and watch tutorials such as Bella Coco and ExpressionFiberArts. 

Now that I’ve provided you with three more ideas to live a happier and healthier life, I hope that you can try out at least one of these options! Or, get creative and find something that you love to do and make the most out of it! You don’t have to force yourself to exercise or meditate. You can always find alternatives to move around such as walking your pet or regaining your focus through art. Whether it’s pottery, gardening, or cooking, as long as you are having fun and learning new skills, that’ll be a win for all of us. People with neurological conditions will have different sets of abilities, and it’s okay to explore the different activities out there. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that once you find a healthy activity that is meaningful to you, you can be proud of taking that first step in exploring and pursuing a happier life.

Bibliography

Ching-Teng, Y. (2019). Effect of board game activities on cognitive function improvement among older adults in adult day care centers. Social work in health care, 58(9), 825-838.

Corkhill, Betsan, et al. "Knitting and Well-being." Textile 12.1 (2014): 34-57. 

Journaling for mental health. Journaling for Mental Health - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1 

Vercillo, K. (2014, May 20). 10 MOST IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF YARNCRAFTING. Lion Brand Notebook. http://blog.lionbrand.com/10-most-important-health-benefits-of-yarncrafting/.