Keeping our brains active

Physical exercise and social connection have been shown to be important. I do Aquafit twice a week and voluntary shifts at a hospital twice a week but despite also doing crosswords and Wordle I definitely feel that I'm not as mentally fit as I used to be.
I agree about the less I do the less I want to do much. So I have to force myself and tell myself it's for my own good!

I play wordle, scrabble, solitaire, etc every single day ,multiple times, and last thing at night. And I read a great deal.
I tell myself it's good for me and hope I'm right. But I enjoy it anyway. I hate being bored.

Much as I hate doing it, online exam marking. When I start, I find it hard to concentrate so deeply for more than 20 minutes. By the time the exam season is over, I'm able to concentrate for up to 2 hours at a time and I'm working much more quickly.

Almost all examiners, probably 80+% are older people, so I'm clearly not the only one who appreciates the benefits, because the pay isn't brilliant.

Interaction with real people, not online, is good for the brain also physical exercise especially walking.
Reading and doing crosswords or any puzzle games as well.
Can’t expect to be like we were 25 again tho.

Don’t forget Sudoku - you can find it free online with varying levels of difficulty and you can time yourself. But don’t spend too much time doing puzzles. A good walk in fresh air is invigorating especially if you converse with people on the way.

Another suggestion - I belong to a couple of online research networks and do various surveys which keep me alert and I get paid, albeit a small amount.

WORDLE, Rummikub with MrJ, crosswords, reading both books and online articles. Meeting friends, chatting on the phone and voluntary phone work.

What a wonderful wealth of replies. Methinks I am a tad lazy so need to try out the great suggestions above so thank you for your encouragement everyone.

I aim to increase circulation to brain by doing some physical activity. Don’t mean gym necessarily (my pet hate) but even short walks help.
I involve myself in groups of interest, and which need some mental preparation. Even a book groups, where people actually do read a good selection of books and have interesting discussions is stimulating. Not the sort where it is just a social occasion. Social groups of course are good. There is some research from USA that churchgoers live longer. I suspect that this is to do with being part of a common interest group which regularly meets, rather than being religious. I don’t think research done in U.K. along these lines. Not sure that word puzzles etc stave off dementia, but fun and stimulating anyway.

I have studied online for quite a few years now on and off. So many different subjects and really enjoyed them. I have covered courses on history sciences sustainability ecosystems mindfulness the most recent antisemitism. The courses are free I have also tried a few language courses for the basics I don’t take to language courses too well!

I read a lot so my mind is still very active my DH and I play cards and quizzes. I spend a lot of time reading recipes and create menus. I grow what I can weather permitting and cook bake pickle preserve as much as possible.

I do get forgetful losing keys etc incidental things really. I think keeping the mind occupied is most important.

Wordle and plus word for me every morning with varying success.
Daily telegraph cryptic which sometimes lasts me all day and doesn’t always get finished!
Jigsaws and reading, also some knitting and crochet which I hope keeps my fingers supple as well as my brain.

Wordle and Quordle are my first go to and we post our results on the family group chat.

DH photocopies the Times 2 cryptic and silly one from inside the back page and we do one at lunchtime and one at 4pm with if we are both in.

I think chatting to people and doing lots of things outside the house are a big help too. Obviously, not everyone can do that and I have notice that my brain power and memory have reduced considerably since I have been stuck at home. I just hope it isn't permanent!!

In recent years much has been written about physical exercise being good for brain health, so in addition to the odd quiz/crossword/Wordle etc I'm a firm believer in getting out and about whenever possible.

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-athletes-way/201409/why-is-physical-activity-so-good-your-brain

Anyone with mobility issues could try static cycling, stretches, sitting exercises etc.

I currently have 'Long Lurgy' and haven't been out half as much as usual, and I can feel the difference - the less I do, the less I want to do!

I do Codewords daily in the online DT and make a point of never letting it defeat me!

Heaps of online word games like Wordzee!, crossword jam, boggle, scrabble . I edit a newsletter for one of the groups I am in and recently retired as sec for a large organisation which was all a bit much as a voluntary job but did keep me on my toes. We have 2 little loves who need a lot of attention ( rescue kittens ).

I’m training my boisterous, easily distracted loopy young lab. One of us has to concentrate 🐕

Too not tools , maybe I’m not that smart after all !!

I play on line scrabble and jigsaws , I’m trying crosswords tools
Must be helping cos I mostly win when family play Scrabble 😉

Wordle and quordle. I do them each day. (Well I mostly do them, occasionally fail to find the right word.) I also enjoy quiz type crosswords, but just don't get the cryptic ones.

Well I’m glad I’m not alone with those concerns and I’ll look forward to helpful suggestions too.