If your senior is looking for a new hobby, consider suggesting journaling. Not only is it self-paced, but it also provides a stream of benefits like boosted memory function and stress relief. Adopting this new pastime may help your senior with their routine and schedule; they might decide to journal every morning when they wake up. But what topics should they journal about? Well, that’s where creativity and cognitive skills come in—the sky’s the limit!
Benefits of Journaling
The physical action and produced result are a few positive outcomes from this pursuit, but they are not the only ones. Of course, an album of memories can be extremely valuable. It can be fun to reminisce, and future generations will surely appreciate the stories. Additionally, recalling thoughts and feelings can help keep your senior’s mind sharp, even if they are just reacting to a movie scene they watched. No matter the content or time spent, journaling has many positive impacts on the health and happiness of seniors.
For example, one study found that journaling thoughts about the future, such as the following day’s to-do list, leads to better sleep. This is because journaling is proven to decrease mental distress! Writing or typing about situations encountered or resurfaced memories can help seniors process their inner emotions, allowing for relaxation.
Examples of Journaling Prompts
Unlike a card game, this activity has no rules! Your senior can creatively make up a fictional story, reflect on their day, or write notes to their friends. Here are a few ideas to get them established as a new author:
- Day-to-day thoughts and activities: Your senior might want to express gratitude, document spiritual thoughts and revelations, or review a book they recently finished reading.
- Reactions to movies and music: Sometimes, we just wish we could watch a movie for the first time again to relive that bliss!
- Memories and advice to pass along: Noting lessons and tips in a journal is a great way to preserve and spread words of wisdom.
- Dreams: Your senior might have brilliant visions at night, so reinventing the dream may help them express their creativity and imagination.
- Food and Fitness: Tracking physical activity and food intake can help your senior gain better health awareness and stick to a routine.
- If your senior feels more comfortable journaling on their laptop or tablet, a speak-to-text option can further assist. There are even options for personalized journals that your senior might appreciate! Check out some options here.
Our residents at Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park enjoy numerous activities that promote artistic inspiration and exercise brain function. To learn more, schedule a tour to see for yourself. Call (708) 479-1082.