Right Brain Exercises That Promote Creative Thinking and Memory in Seniors

Right-brain exercises keep your creative and emotional sides working at their best. They also enhance memory and help establish connections between both sides of the brain.

As the Smithsonian Science Education Center points out, the idea of being solely right-brained or left-brained is a myth. Both sides of your brain are always working together.

Senior living in Chelmsford, MA, is a family-friendly suburb. It has historic roots as part of the Revolutionary Valley. There's also plenty of outdoor recreation, including Heart Pond and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.

What Are the Functions of the Right Brain?

There are functions of the right brain that seem to light up more when it's used. For most people, it controls the movement of the left side of the body.

It doesn't control understanding language in a literal sense, but it does play an important role in deciphering the meaning behind the words, such as tone and metaphors.

The right brain is closely linked to non-literal thinking. It's the center of imagination.

It also has a key role in memory. The right brain is especially crucial for certain types of memories that are:

Visual
Spatial
Emotional

Why Right-Brain Exercises Matter

Right-brain exercises don't only nurture the right brain. Both hemispheres are always working together. Nurturing one helps the other. Exercising the right brain improves that delicate brain balancebetween both sides.

This can also slow down cognitive decline. Your brain is like a muscle, and it's important to ensure that both sides are continually exercised.

Like physical exercise, brain exercise improves your mood and life satisfaction. It also prevents loneliness. Data from the World Health Organization says that approximately 11.8% of seniors worldwide are lonely.

What Is the Best Exercise for the Right Brain?

The best right-brain exercises allow seniors to be creative without pressure. Working physical exercise and memory training into the mix is even better.

There's no one single best exercise, which is why activity calendars in Massachusetts senior living communities should include a mix of all of them.

Arts and Crafts

Senior art therapy allows for more than creativity. It also trains fine motor skills and pattern recognition. In addition, it can help train memory.

A few of the best options for these types of activities include:

Painting
Drawing
Knitting
Embroidery
Sculpting

These can also become social activities. Doing arts and crafts together combats loneliness and can increase their effectiveness.

Dancing and Music

Music turns the work of brain training into an enjoyable activity. It's easy to get lost in the tunes and forget you're doing anything more than having fun.

Playing or learning an instrument helps with coordination. It also improves memory and helps expand the mind.

Dancing is an exercise for the body and the mind. It also helps seniors get used to following a rhythm, which is a simple way to train memory.

Storytelling

Humans have been telling stories for centuries, so seniors should tap into that natural urge. There are several ways to enhance creative aging through stories.

Guided storytelling sessions can allow them to recount memories. They can also improve their creativity by making up stories from scratch.

Putting on a play makes it even more enjoyable and creative. Allow them to go all-out with props and roles for other residents.

Going on a narrative walk adds physical activity. Seniors can get their heart rate up while enhancing narrative thinking and emotional memory.

Physical Right-Brain Workouts

Physical and cognitive stimulation work well together. There are simple ways to get blood flowing to the brain while increasing its activity and creativity.

Seniors can start with gentle exercises such as tai chi or yoga. It can improve mindfulness and reduce stress. It also improves important right-brain faculties such as attention and memory.

It's also worth attempting to perform mental exercises while doing physical ones. This could be as simple as naming objects or recalling lists.

Games

Playing gamesencourages healthy and creative aging. The best part is that they can be done alone or with a group.

Solo options include:

Crossword puzzles
Word searches
Word games
Memory or matching games
Jigsaw puzzles

These are useful activities for more than passing the time. They're also exercises that enhance skills such as pattern recognition and language recall.

Games can also be a way to enhance strategy and memory while spending time with friends. That makes them an ideal social activity for residents of independent living in Clemsford, MA.

Participating in a themed trivia night is one effective option. Others include tabletop or card games.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Right-Brain Weakness?

Most cases of right-brain weakness fit under what's known as RHD or right-hemisphere disorder. It can be caused by almost any form of brain trauma, such as:

Strokes
Seizures
Tumors

The symptoms are varied. Patients may not even realize that they're experiencing them. Examples include problems with:

Understanding written or spoken messages
Memory
Attention
Focus
Executive function
Visual and perceptual skills

It's a difficult condition that complicates the process of choosing the right senior living in Massachusetts with the proper level of care.

What Is the Strongest Trigger for Memory?

According to research by Joan Tarrida Vidal, the strongest memory trigger is smell.

Odors travel directly to the brain's memory and emotion centers in the hippocampus. They're also tied to emotions and nostalgia.

Other strong triggers for memory support and recall include:

Music
Touch
Taste

Using them all is the best way to support and nurture memory. Having seniors describe the stories behind the triggers also makes them more effective.

Find the Support You Need from Summer Place Senior Living Today

Right-brain exercises enhance memory and creativity. They also ensure the delicate balance between both sides of your brain stays intact.

Summer Place offers Independent Living with Supportive Services. We offer a balance so that residents always feel supported and in control. Enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle and daily meals prepared by a chef. Our various amenities include a spa, gym, fitness center, and more.