7 Ways to Increase Your Intellectual Wellness
We often think of the mind and body as two separate entities, but many studies have shown that intellectual wellness is just as important as physical wellness. Intellectual wellness includes our social, emotional, and psychological health.
Just as with exercise and physical fitness, training our minds is vital to maintaining our intellectual wellbeing. “Use it or lose it” applies just as much to our minds as to our bodies! By maintaining intellectual wellness throughout your life, you can stimulate new connections, promote creativity, and create a happier, healthier life — at any age.
Here are seven ways to increase your intellectual wellness, which you can start putting into practice today.
Seven Ways to Improve Intellectual Wellness
- 1. Read. Pick up a classic novel or the latest on the bestseller list. Have a topic you’ve always wanted to learn more about? Order a book or download one to read at your leisure on your tablet or desktop computer. You can also borrow digital books from your local library!
- 2. Journal. Write down your thoughts, keep a daily journal of activities and events, or begin recording stories from your life. This is a wonderful way to engage your mind and express yourself.
- 3. Play brain games. Grab a pencil and try your hand at Sudoku or a crossword puzzle. Go online to find a large selection of challenging games such as Mastermind, Crime Scene, trivia, checkers, chess and more.
- 4. Experience the arts. Attend and/or participate in cultural events online. Music, the arts, dance and other cultural activities can help express creativity and stimulate your brain in new ways.
- 5. Talk it out. Bring up a current event for a discussion with friends online, over the phone, or at a small socially-distant gathering. Be open-minded, and realize that even if you don’t agree with their points of view, you are expanding your mind by having a lively discussion and hearing new ideas.
- 6. Attend an online class. Sign up for virtual classes through the local community college or an online learning platform. Coursera, edX.org or free online courses offered by Harvard University are good places to start. Lifelong learning is key to keeping the brain active and healthy.
- 7. Reduce stress. Stress plays a role in both our physical and mental health. Some activities that reduce mental stress include meditation, light exercise, and spending time with a pet or enjoying the outdoors.
More Activities for Wellness
As you can see, some activities that engage the body can be good for intellectual wellness, too.
Benedictine Living Community-At The Shrine offers many programming options for our residents, as well as a full-service library, games and activities. Activity directors and staff make it easy for residents to jump right in and join in the fun in a safe and mindful way.
We invite you to call us at 800-533-6279 to learn more or to schedule a tour.