Surviving Spouse Corner – March 2025
MENTAL PROWESS AND CHALLENGES
By Pat Green
Most of us have noticed a mental decline in a close friend or family member. This person is not as sharp, witty or speedy as they once were. We may wonder if we also seem so, to others.
Mental decline is not just a phenom of aging. Some as young as 40 speculate about this topic. Stress, emotions, and poor diet and sleep reduce cognitive skills, and affect all ages.
If you have had a stroke, a brain injury, or if you are concerned about a perceived mental decline, speak to your family doctor. If the doctor recognizes an issue, a Neurologist can provide a detailed cognitive skills evaluation.
Physical health and emotional health correlate with mental health. If you are consumed with grief or anxiety or dealing with a disease, deal with that first. If serious grieving extends more than two years, seek some grief counseling for help. Complicated grief is seen in 9% of widows in the 60-75 age range. A smaller percentage of men are affected.
If you want to improve your mental skills, there are some mental Strengthening Exercises that can be built into daily activities. Even a schedule of exercises a few times a day result in improvement. When you are ready, try the mental gymnastics below:
RECALL: Practice memorizing names, phone numbers, vocabulary words, MLB standings, NCAA March Madness lineups, or TV program schedules. Look at a magazine photo for a few seconds, close your eyes and try to recall items in the photo.
ANALYSIS: Read a newspaper article. Set it aside, then try to write a recap or summary of the article. Try to remember the “who, what, when, where, and why”.
SPATIAL: Rearrange a linen closet, pantry or garage. Look for the most pragmatic and yet economical use of space. Do the same exercise with drawers in kitchen, bed, or bath. While you’re at it, set aside some donation items and throw out expired items.
SOCIAL: Have a conversation every day. If you live alone, this may be a challenge. Practice small talk at the checkout line of stores. Initiate a phone call or an invitation. This is a must. Accept any invitations you receive. Try to remember a joke you can tell at your next social event.
FOCUS: Stay focused on whatever activity you are engaged. It may be a conversation, gardening, dancing, chores or workouts at the gym. Focus on listening, strength, the number of repetitions, muscles involved, posture, and breathing. Be in one with your thoughts. Meditation and prayer are very good options of mental focus.
FUN and GAMES: This can be all manner of social get-togethers. But there are some good solitary options.
Spatial: Jig saw puzzles provide color and form discernment. Manipulation of the pieces is also good hand-eye coordination practice.
Analysis: Sudoku uses number grids, but it is not a math game. It is a logic exercise. Start with easy grids and progress to expert status.
Recall: Using computer sites, you can play Bridge, Gin Rummy, or Hearts with robots. These games require a memory of cards played and the counted.
Once your skills have improved, socialize and play games with others and remember to have FUN!
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