I’m at a stage in life where I think a little more about the future than I used to. I’m married, our children are getting older, and I’ve recently settled into retirement. After years of work, family responsibilities, and the everyday stresses that come with them, I’m finally learning how to slow down and make a little time for myself.
One thing I hadn’t given much thought to, though, was my brain health.
My daughter had been bringing it up for a while. She worries about the stress my wife and I have carried over the years and reminds us that looking after our minds is just as important as looking after our bodies. She’s always encouraging us to read more, do puzzles, stay curious, and make a little time each day to exercise our brains.
I used to think of that sort of thing as something you did to pass the time. But she explained that as we get older, conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and short-term memory loss can become more common. I recently learned an old friend of mine is in the midst of early onset dementia. It all sobers you about how easily one can slip into such a condition.
For my birthday, she gave me a Waverley Bath Board along with several books of crosswords, Sudoku, and other brain puzzles. It was a thoughtful gift, and one that turned out as a pleasant surprise.
At first, I thought I might use it now and then. But somewhere along the way, it became part of my retirement routine.
Two or three times a week, I’ll run a warm bath, set up my puzzle book on the board, and give myself an hour without the television, phone calls, or a list of things I should be doing. Sometimes I work through a crossword; other days, I tackle Sudoku. I might not finish every puzzle, but that’s not really the point. I enjoy having something to concentrate on and the satisfaction of solving the problem.
I also understand that puzzles aren’t the answer to these serious conditions, but positive routine mental exercise can’t hurt my chances at my age. Staying active, reading, socializing, sleeping well, and managing stress are all part of looking after ourselves as we age.
My daughter still reminds us to make time for these things. I think she’s pleased that I’ve finally taken her advice to heart!
This birthday gift from my daughter has helped me build a habit I genuinely look forward to — one that gives me permission to slow down, challenge myself, and invest in my mental wellness.
I was told by my retired former boss, at my retirement party, the secret to all of this hard earned free time is learning to truly invest it in your health. And sometimes, a warm bath and a good crossword are a pretty good place to start.
