If you’re someone of a “certain age,” those words are familiar to you. And they may spur visions of small journals with flimsy locks and tiny keys to secure your most secret thoughts.
But journaling is just as important as we get older because it helps us stay sharp, relieves stress and anxiety, and guarantees that our stories and legacy will be documented and preserved for future generations.
Like physical exercise, jotting down even a sentence or two every day or several times a week works that muscle between your ears, allowing you to offload challenging issues, anxious thoughts, and great ideas to make them more tangible and possibly even more manageable.
Like any other brainwork (puzzles, word games, reading, etc.), journaling keeps your mind active and young, working your brain in unique and creative ways.
Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and respond to environmental stimuli, new experiences, or other developmental mechanisms, does NOT stop as we get older. It persists throughout life, and for seniors, it’s especially important. And journaling is a great way to keep your brain “flexible.”
Journaling can help you:
Maybe they don’t always show it, but your family and friends love your stories and “you-isms,” so why not give them that gift? When you recall a story or a piece of information you think is important, interesting, or funny, journaling helps you make it permanent, allowing you to revisit it whenever you want or share it with family and friends. It’s a mental “cue” that can help you keep your stories and perspectives fresh and close at all times and give those closest to you something to cherish forever.
Don’t think you have to be a “writer” to journal. Anyone can do it. It’s not about perfection or writing the next best-seller. It’s simply about getting your thoughts out of your head and onto the page or computer screen…on your terms. And once you get started, it will become easier, more fun, and maybe even something that becomes part of your daily routine.
If you already journal, pat yourself on the back, and keep up the great work. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s never too late to start. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your brain and your family.
Keeping a regular journal is an effective and fun way to stay sharp and create something special for yourself and others.
At The Chateau Girardeau, we want you to enjoy a long, healthy, and active life. And as always, we’re here to answer any questions you have.
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