Senior Living 101: Brain Building

 

Image via congerdesign of Pixabay

Have yarn–will travel!

There’s a certain satisfaction when your instincts actually prove to be right. One of the things that seemed essential, when I left my previous home, was to make sure I packed my plentiful supply of yarn for knitting and crocheting. Somehow just knowing those beautiful, soft and colourful wool balls were with me no matter what happened, was comforting during a stressful time.

It wasn’t just the sight of them. It was the winding around my fingers as I manipulated threads and turned them into complex creations. It was the peace in my mind as my brain sought out unfamiliar patterns, and quietly achieved success in interpreting them.

Yarn creators…they’re everywhere!

My passionate love for knitting and crocheting inspired me to seek others with similar feelings online. Surprise! There have been studies on this topic. There are get-togethers known as knit-ins where knitters and others gather to enjoy the process. 

True to my own limited personal study, neuroscientists have found that knitting “activates areas of the brain that are good for generating a sense of calm, (and contribute to) improved emotional processing and better decision making”.

A knit-in gathering

In a survey of 3,545 knitters worldwide, respondents who knitted for relaxation, stress relief and creativity reported higher cognitive functioning, improved social contact and communication with others. 

It doesn’t have to be folks who know how to knit. Just handling the fibres seems to help people be happier. One of my important yarn helpers here is Betty, who complains about my inability to keep my yarns in neat order, but thrives as she untangles my messes and restores the balls to something easier to use! 

Workshops worldwide  have been held for preschoolers, retirees and sufferers of dementia and depression. Participants have included students, library and mental health service patrons, university staff and scientists, with expert guests ranging from dementia carers and mental health workers to neuroscientists and university researchers.

Working with yarn, because of  its mental challenges, social connection, (meeting with others) and mindfulness, helps keep brains fit by solving creative and mental challenges, developing eye-hand coordination and fine motor dexterity and increasing attention span.

Don’t be content to be a “used to” 

There are neural studies using yarn to show interested knit-in participants how actual brain neutrons work, by making their own interpretations of neurons. In this post we won’t go there, but we will know with certainty that when we interact with fibres we are alerting our brains to wake up and move with intent to learn.

Living in an independent retirement home gives wonderful creative opportunities for increasing your brain power and excitement in each day of life. Knitting and crocheting provide endless scope for fun and imagination, both crucial for brain building.

We have a comfy living room in my independent living facility home. There’s a well-stocked library in addition to several chairs. There are ornaments and flowers: a piano for music, a barista machine, and all-day pastries supplied by our incredible kitchen staff. 

People chat together. It’s nice. But somehow I feel there’s still something lacking. I’ve always enjoyed keeping my hands busy, and continue to take my knitting and crochet projects with me whenever I feel like company in the downstairs room.

My friends admire my work. I ask them whether they do any crochet or knitting, and most times the reply is they “used” to do it. Thy report making  all kinds of items for family and friends. You see the momentary tenderness as they remember. Then my big question is, “so why don’t you do it now?”

I’m still waiting for a satisfactory answer to that one. With most, it’s a deep sigh, and possibly another dug up memory. 

There was a very active knitting and crocheting community where I lived before moving here. It was vibrant and fun at the library where we worked. We tackled all kinds of interesting projects. I even made a video of elderly hands in amazing action.

WarnerWords: Beautiful Hands

I am so determined not to be a “used to” crochet and knitter here in my new home. As older folks for the most part, this is now our season to impart our knitting and crochet skills to others who can carry on with them.

Upgrades

Renovations are happening soon on this side of the building, so there is a shortage of my own plants. But lucky us, there is a beautiful little park next door that can be walked any time, and is so available. It is carefully tended by expert city staff.

It’s amazing to have this extra garden always available.

Images via VickiW

Thank you!

Your journey with me is always appreciated! I look forward to your interaction and suggestions in the comment section and hope you'll visit again soon!

VickiW

Senior Living 101: Life Seasons

 

Image via Pexels of Pixabay

Finding home

Remember how I told you about taking the time to go to the condo ( now sold, yay) where I lived with the narcissist ex-husband for far too long? I was foolishly thinking I might like to go back there, just on my own. Buy him out from my savings…

After all, it was a beautiful place.

While sitting in the silence of what used to be my home, I mentally compared the intrinsic value of living there, versus enjoying the amazingly wonderful situation I find myself in nowadays. It was not difficult to realize that I have passed my time as a condo/apartment dweller, and wow, my retirement situation is the absolute best place I could possibly be in these days.

A phrase keeps running through my mind. For everything there is a season. I realize my season for living alone in an apartment is over. Combine that with fetching, carrying, planning and caring for a completely ungrateful heartless narcissist, and that season is over too. All that remains is gratitude for everyday enjoyment in my independent retirement living space. 

I’ve been here for over a year now. In that time I’ve moved three times and divorced once. According to research on such things I should probably have succumbed to the trauma of it all! 

Some learned, powerful life lessons

1. Listen to your head when you see warning signals, and BEFORE you make the mistake. You don’t want to waste your precious time on earth catering to a lost cause. Saying this though, it’s never too late to change all kinds of things!

2. Family is hugely important. I don’t know how I would have managed to do everything required as a new life presented itself. But they all stepped up and have made sure I’m doing well, no matter what happens. Always show your appreciation, and NEVER demand. They have their own seasons in life.

Embrace your knowledge! As folks age, a lot of them will tell you about things they used to do. Looking back at your accomplishments can be satisfying. But looking forward gives you an opportunity to share your life learning constructively with others. In many cases, you’re able to learn new skills with new technology. Pure fun!

3. Conversation with others is crucial for the mind. As I continue living here I realize this is indeed an amazing benefit of being able to join others at any time in the communal lounge, or join in walks with friends. It’s all about communication with others, no invitation necessary, no planning required.

4. Use every strategy to manage stress. If you don't, your mind and body will let you know in uncomfortable and unforgiving ways. I haven’t been too great at that in the last couple of years. One of the ways I’ve paid for it is being unable to write. Hopefully, I will manage to regain some sort of momentum there. 

Micro-garden update

I have a small garden these days. It’s on my small balcony, and has been quite productive, thanks to a wonderful little planter. It was made in France, and is an incredibly clever way of growing my veggie plants. 

Only a few at a time, of course, but at the moment I have eight special, small cabbages under cover there, just starting to develop heads.

Earlier on, I had lettuce, beets and carrots. It was a lot of fun, and I still have a lot of beet tops in the freezer for later use. The interesting thing about the planter is the legs, and a certain area inside it is filled with cheap, extruded clay pellets, so watering is minimal. Also, I’m safe from pests with the easily adjustable covering.

Another fabulous planter is the one used for herbs. It can be turned around to advantage different plants. I supply many fresh herbs to our kitchen chef, and it’s wonderful that they are used in his delicious soups, etc.

Rotating herb garden.

Planter with cover on.

Planter with cover off, developing cabbages.

Extruded clay pellets.

Thank you!

I’m hoping now to be back on a regular basis. Thank you so much for your emails, and support whilst I’ve been away.

VickiW