Stay Sharp as You Age

Small Habits that Keep the Brain and Body Alive

Many of us came to the Lake Chapala area to enjoy a slower pace of life. But slowing down doesn’t mean letting the mind and body grow idle. In fact, staying mentally and physically engaged is one of the best ways to enjoy the years ahead.

The ideas below came out of conversations in my men’s group. We started sharing small ways we challenge ourselves to stay alert and flexible. None of them are difficult, but together they remind the brain and body that life is still meant to be explored.

Think of the fisherman. He is constantly adjusting — watching the water, sensing the wind, responding to subtle changes in the environment. Staying vital as we age works the same way: we stay alert by using our senses and gently pushing ourselves out of routine.

Here are a few simple ways to keep doing that.

Challenge Your Balance

Balance is one of the first things we begin to lose with age, unless we keep practicing it.

Try putting on your socks and shoes while standing on one leg. At first you may need to hold onto something, but eventually you may find you don’t. Balance on one foot while preparing food. Walk slowly backwards or sideways in a safe place.

Even small movements help. Dance a little every day, alone or with a partner. Lie on the floor and look at the ceiling or lie on the ground and watch the sky. These small shifts in position wake up the body’s awareness.

Wake Up Your Brain

Routine is comfortable, but too much routine dulls the mind. Changing small habits forces the brain to create new connections.

Eat one meal a day with your opposite hand. Brush your teeth or comb your hair with your nondominant hand. Sit in a different chair at the table.

Take a different street when you drive. Read something about a subject you know nothing about. Try puzzles, card games, or learning a new language.

Even drawing a picture or writing a short paragraph about something interesting that happened during the day can stimulate the brain in useful ways.

Sharpen Your Senses

Occasionally removing one sense forces the others to work harder.

Try getting dressed with your eyes closed. Walk slowly through your house in the dark. Spend an hour wearing earplugs so you become more aware of what you see and feel.

You might also try using only candlelight during part of your morning routine. Small sensory challenges help keep the brain responsive.

Care for the Body

Mental health and physical health support one another.

Aim for about twenty minutes of mild cardio exercise two or three times a week. If you spend long periods at the computer or watching television, get up every half hour and stretch.

Sit up straight in your chair. Move more during the day. Limit alcohol and smoking if possible and keep track of basic health markers such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Even something simple like taking a cold shower can sharpen alertness and circulation.

Feed Curiosity

One of the best ways to stay mentally alive is to stay curious.

Start a new hobby. Try learning a new aspect of technology. Read a book on a topic you know nothing about.

Play music. Draw something. Write a few lines about your day. Even doing something a little silly now and then keeps the mind flexible.

Calm the Mind

Stress ages us faster than almost anything.

Practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or consciously relaxing your muscles before sleep can help reset the nervous system.

Setting a timer and changing activities every 15 or 30 minutes can also help keep the mind fresh and prevent mental fatigue.

Stay Connected

Human connection is essential to healthy aging. People who isolate themselves tend to do poorly.

Play a card game with someone. Dance together. Talk, laugh, and share experiences. Staying socially engaged keeps both the brain and the heart active.

Put something in your donation box every day. Write something encouraging on your mirror with a bar of soap or a washable marker. Small gestures help maintain a sense of connection and purpose.

And if you walk barefoot on your grass to reconnect with the earth, just make sure you don’t have a dog first.

Aging doesn’t mean shutting down the senses—it means using them more deliberately. Stay curious, stay playful, and like the fisherman watching the water, keep paying attention.

Dr. Michael McManmon is a psychologist, educator, artist, writer, and founder of the College Internship Program, which has five centers serving young adults with learning disabilities and autism. He has authored eight books—on autism, a memoir, two books of poetry, a novel, and a children’s book. He serves as a board member of the International Neurodiversity Association and the U.S. Autism Association. He has six children and nineteen grandchildren and has lived Lakeside for eight years.