Mind

How Mental Activity Helps

Have you ever gotten so engrossed in an activity – be it watching a suspenseful movie or a bases-loaded ball game, planning a vacation or home improvement project, or piecing a quilt or adding pieces to a jigsaw puzzle – that, for a few minutes anyway, you forgot your pain? If so, you know one of the benefits of mental activity. 

Research shows that finding an interest or activity that occupies and challenges your mind not only distracts your mind from pain now, but may keep it sharper for later. 

Here are five ways to both reduce pain and improve your brain. 

Get crafty

Whether you enjoy quilting, knitting, painting or pottery, crafting can provide hours of pleasure and something beautiful to enjoy or give as gift when you are through. Research shows that becoming immersed in creating something can also reduce pain and anxiety and perhaps stave off mental declines with aging.

Get in the game

Card games, board games, word games and number games can be both fun and mentally stimulating. Also try crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and brainteasers.

Take the long way home

Do you always take the most direct (and, likely, boring) route to work, school, shopping or the doctor’s office?  Check out a map or your GPS and try a different route home next time.  You may discover something new – a restaurant, produce stand, shop or just a pretty view – you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

Dance

Whether you prefer ballroom dancing or belly dancing, moving is a good way to relieve pain and anxiety and just have fun. A bonus: research suggests that learning and practicing dance steps is good way to keep your mind sharp as well. Movement is the key, some prefer dancing while sitting in a chair. Enjoy the moment.

Take a class

Find a subject you have always wanted to learn – or learn more about – and sign up for a class at a community center or college.  Study a foreign language, learn to play instrument or join a debate on Greek literature. You’ll not only challenge your mind, but you may also meet people who share your interest.
Proudly sponsored by the JSA Chronic Disease Foundation