How can I prevent my brain becoming stagnant?

Future Learn taught me a lot about Autism, as well as different languages and computing.
It used to be free, but I haven’t used it lately.

Thanks everyone, some great ideas here. I have just completed 2 Sudoku puzzles and a crossword so my brain feels well exercised today!
I shall follow up the Family history idea and look at online courses.
I tried Duolingo but found it frustrating when it kept going back to sections I had already finished.

I think my problem is that I find it difficult to think on my feet, so even though I have joined a book club and make notes beforehand, being able to contribute to the discussion is tricky and I can always think of lots of things to say after the event!

I shall look at joining a choir too as I used to belong to a church choir and really enjoyed it. That will give me more social interaction with hopefully younger people.

Don't drink wine. ( fails miserably)

I shall follow up the Family history idea and look at online courses.

Don't pay out for anything at first. Start with what you know then find some censuses online, plus BMD records.

FamilySearch has a lot of free records; a bit worrying that the Mormons have a huge database of so many of us but it's useful!

If you don't enjoy it, you haven't wasted a lot of money.

I don't think puzzles and sudoku are the answer. They are sedentary and not that challenging.
If you are fit enough I recommend dancing. I started line dancing. It's not hugely demanding physically but my goodness i tests the brain!
Also podcasts in unusual subjects that you know nothing about.
Instead of putting on the radio I've been listening to
these
Fall of civilisations
80 days and exploration podcast
Philosophise Now
None of these are subjects remotely within my experience or comfort zone so they really test the brain!

You need to go to classes for cryptic crosswords. Our u3a does them, 50 p for an hour.

Joining a choir is a good idea. It exercises the brain and gets you out and socialising. I am a member of 2 choirs and husband is a member of one and is learning bell ringing which is definitely exercising his brain!

ZoeB

I would recommend a MOOC (massive, open, online course). Free to do in any subject you can think of, entry level and from some fabulous teachers from around the world. Plus if you don't enjoy it you can stop at any time.
They are usually about 6 weeks long and a few hours a week. All reading material is provided free too.
I love them and have enjoyed solving a crime, learning about modern art and social psychology to name a few.

Ooh....I didnt know about that one. Will be off to google in a minute and see whats what.

Decades ago I was going to do an Open University course on retirement - but two things changed my mind. 1. They became too expensive to be accessible for many 2. Everyone and their dog seemed to be getting a degree (apparently) - and so what would be the point....with lots of non-degree level people "getting a degree" too.

But this might be a thought.....

Susan56

Allira 😂my brain definitely says araf😂

My brain really picked up on someone's comment way back of "Slow down for arafs".....so every time I see "araf" these days that is what I'm thinking, ie "Better slow down for arafs".

I've just started Neuronation (online app on my phone)..really like it & can feel the difference ...you do have to pay, think it was £47 a year but I do 10 mins max a day

Question everything. I have learnt so much during the past five years and have now realised how little I actually know - or thought I knew - about so many everyday things.
Also, limit your TV and mainstream news consumption - in fact, start with that!

Pick a random subject to find out all about Finnish death metal bands perhaps - anything you know nothing about!

CariadAgain

Susan56

Allira 😂my brain definitely says araf😂

My brain really picked up on someone's comment way back of "Slow down for arafs".....so every time I see "araf" these days that is what I'm thinking, ie "Better slow down for arafs".

😁

I'm definitely very Araf today!

But I might sit and finish a UFO I began a little while ago.

Open university courses. Student finance available if you haven’t done a degree before. Learning languages on Duolingo while I eat breakfast. Scrabble. Sudoku etc

Everyone and their dog (maybe not the dog) can start a degree on OU but they are assessed in the same way as real universities so not everyone and their dogs can actually get a degree, so still a great feeling of achievement at the end.

Extratime

I have always been a practical person enjoying gardening and baking, but recently I have become aware that my thought processes and enthusiasm for new projects have deteriorated.

I do the usual Sudoku and Code breakers but these no longer stimulate my brain like they used to! I’ve tried Cryptic crosswords unsuccessfully.

What do other Gransnetters do to stimulate their grey cells?

I've carried on working and changed jobs. Doesn't half keep the brain functioning!

HI
During lockdown, I started to knit again - my grandma taught me when I was a child, basic stitch, dropped a few more but I'd knit dishcloths and my grandma loved them.
I taught my daughter to knit and she is a fantastic knitter.
I have always wanted to crochet. My friend taught me to crochet during lockdown, and I really enjoyed it. Great way to keep my hands busy and focus on something creative - I have made a few blankets, - one for my grandma's 100th birthday, and have gifted a few, scarves, gloves, dishcloths, flowers, hearts, bookmarks, 1 basic stitch goes along way. Unless you can already do either - knit / crochet, I would suggest you give them or one a try.

Bridge? see if there are any classes you can attend. Hopefully you will find someone to partner up with at the class and then can proceed to a local club. I play online and since covid have not returned to 'face to face' club. You are playing with real people so there is a social element as can chat privately or to the table as you wish. See BBO.com

I am learning French and Italian on Duolingo. I just do a little every day and its supposed to be good for the brain to learn a language or a new skill.

I try to have a variety of activities each week. I go to a language class at my local university once a week, sing in two choirs and belong to a number of U3A groups. I also volunteer as an usher at my local theatre where I am a member of a large team made up of people of all ages. I particularly enjoy chatting to the younger volunteers and it is good to still feel “useful”.

Future Learn do a lot of free courses.

I like to always be learning something new. Doing a Duolingo Spanish course which is great 👍

I attend a local retirement college which runs a wide variety of excellent courses.
I also attend online language courses and have enrolled on a certificate course with a local university. Some of these are free.
I learn the piano, go to choir and go to gym
classes to keep fit.

I am also on the committee of our local WI and the PCC of our church.
My DH says why not drop something, and my answer is that everything I drop is something less that I will be able to do in two years time. I think it's important to keep skills going as you get older.

I do painting classes. Took up ukulele a year and a half ago. These use your brain and are social activities. I play bridge and am in a book club. I cycle. Dodging potholes and dogs needs razor focus. Play piano. Garden. Volunteered/ committees. People always sought after and sorely needed to maintain clubs... Sudokus, play Bridge 4 hands on Bridgebase.com; No-fear bridge to learn the game and play online with real people. Others walk, doU3A classes, pickleball, table tennis club, wild swimming. Craft, kurling, chair yoga, Tai Chi, learn a language or revive one you learned as a child. If you can’t get out as much as you used to find a weekly social club/lunch group to meet other elders who may be experiencing similar problems.

I learnt 3 European languages ( French, Spanish, Italian in various levels of fluency ) and now starting with German. I am 69 years old. In addition, I have rediscovered my curiosity for paleoanthropology spec. the human origin.