reconnecting lifelong learners

I have lived alone for many years. The responsibilities of my occupation kept me very busy and my life has been so satisfactory and enjoyable. Now I have retired and feel rather lost. I haven't made many friends over the years. How do you think I should proceed?
Sarah S.

Don't be a loner! Make sure to touch bases with friends or acquaintances frequently. The importance of personal interactions on a regular basis cannot be stressed too highly.
Our social lives are far more important than most people realize. Research indicates that those who live alone and who don't make frequent social contacts do not live as long as those who interact with others on a regular basis.
It is so easy to lose contact with others as we pursue our daily responsibilities and activities in general. To regain contact, you might start with a telephone call to someone you know well, but haven't seen for awhile. Try to make a specific date to meet--for a walk, perhaps, or a cup of tea at a local café. Usually it is not difficult to reestablish a former relationship, but it may take a bit of an effort. Again, setting specific dates may be required, but it is really worth it to have a friend.
Another idea is to be a volunteer. Select an organization or service that you particularly admire--perhaps a childrens' service, or one for older adults--and donate some time each week. This is another way to make new acquaintances and to be with other people. Good luck!

I have hung it up! Now I can enjoy myself and not worry about problems that other people write to you. It's going to be great!
Sam W.

So you're retired? Family grown and left home? No more need to hear the alarm, face that dreadful commute, and put in long hours at the office. Now you can relax, watch as much TV as you wish, and just enjoy doing almost nothing. No need anymore to think, make tough decisions, and solve business problems, right? Wrong! In fact, there is now even more reason for you to continue to think and, even more important, to learn new things. At this point in your life, the term "use it, or lose it" becomes more significant than ever before.
Just as a reduction in physical activities quickly results in a loss of stamina necessary for physical fitness, a reduction in mental activity can have as great an impact on mental fitness--perhaps even greater. Mental
inactivity can result in memory loss, reduced awareness and attention to details, and a lack of concentration.
Until very recently, it was believed that loss of memory and brain function were just a natural part of aging, that brain cells were lost constantly and that nothing could be done to change this. Recent research now indicates
that the brain can grow and change at any age, and that learning something new can actually produce new brain cells and connections. The more the brain
is used, the better it works.

So turn off the TV, take up a new hobby, and find something mental that you
really enjoy, such as crosswords, puzzles, or cryptograms, perhaps. Also adopt a challenging physical regimen. For the best possible health, being active, both mentally and physically, is essential.
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Enjoy your retirement! But be sure to live a life that will allow you to continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

Some keys to staying mentally fit

I keep seeing and hearing the term "mental fitness" these days, especially in connection with older adults. What is it exactly? Why is it so important, and should I be concerned about it? Anna N.


Striving to attain mental fitness has to be the most important objective for anyone, but especially older adults. Mental fitness gives us heightened awareness and observation skills, better communication and concentration, helps us to accept challenges of existing problems as well as to solve them--in general, it helps us to be in charge of our own life.
Although most everyone has a high level of mental fitness when in charge of a family and an occupation, after retirement that level may have dropped because the need for such rigorous thinking is no longer there. Just as physical fitness is reduced if we don't have regular physical exercise, mental fitness is lost if we are not diligent about mental exercise.
Obviously to develop or improve mental fitness we must start at a level that is not too difficult. {After all, nobody starts a physical fitness program by running a marathon.} Sensory observation is a good place to begin a program for the improvement of mental fitness. Sensory observation simply means awareness using all five senses. For example, choose a common object that you often use, such as a paper clip. examine it closely using all senses--touch it, look at it , listen to it, smell and even taste it! {Making sure it's clean, of course} Some of your observations might be: silver, smooth, makes a noise when dropped on the table, odorless and tasteless. Remember however, that telling what it is used for is not a part of this exercise. How many observations can you make? Try for at least fifteen.
Also try this exercise with small edible things such as a pretzel stick, or a glass of sparkling water.
If you are persistent with this technique it will soon become a habit. You will be much more aware of your surroundings, noticing details of which you have never before been aware. This will improve your confidence and concentration. This result cannot be accomplished without effort. Mental exercise is not easy, but it is so rewarding if you are willing to work at it!
Of course, there is much more to mental fitness than improving your observational skills. Great benefits also arise from rigorous thinking and from learning something you never before knew. Learning a new language or hobby can be very beneficial. Recent research also indicates that crossword puzzles can help ward off or perhaps even prevent Alzheimers disease.
My advice to you, and to anybody else is to become involved in mental activities. Take care that the level of difficulty isn't too high or you may get discouraged. Start at an easy pace and work up. Try a number of different puzzles--crosswords, logic problems, cryptograms, acrostics, and any others which interest you. There are many puzzle books available these days. Many of them offer a large variety of kinds of puzzles. Find the types that you enjoy the most and see how far you can go with them.

Greetings All! I am so happy to be with you and hope that I may be able to help if you have a problem or a question. Just call me at the number listed at the end of the column, or send an e-mail.

Connie Lynch

DON’T LOSE YOUR MIND

Q: I know the Mind Works classes meet once a week, but how much more should people be doing on their own? Are we to be exercising our brains every day, and if so, for how long?

A: We all need to exercise mentally every day. For that matter, physically as well. Keeping our bodies and brains healthy and fit is the most important part of our lives, and to do that, exercise is essential.
The kinds of exercise can vary, however, depending upon the person, his or her likes, dislikes, and abilities. The amount of time spent must also vary, depending on individual responsibilities and activities.
For people who attend my classes, that possible problem is solved, somewhat. I always assign “homework”- by request, incidentally. It is a problem to solve or an activity to carry out. The amount of time spent varies, depending on each individual. Some people are likely to find it easier than will others. In any case, I try to choose something interesting, challenging, and above all, fun.
For others, find things that most interest you, and that you will pursue to the finish. Daily newspapers’ crosswords, crypto puzzles, and/or Jumbles are a place to start if you have not yet begun your mental exercise. If those do not get your interest whetted, try your local bookstore to find other options. There are usually many.
If puzzles of various kinds seem to be of little importance, consider your local adult education institution and a possible course that would interest you. Perhaps a new language would catch your attention. Such a class would involve meeting new people as well as sharing a new interest. Meeting new people is always important and should be a part of our life. Such interaction is stimulating and good for making the brain do some work.
Depending upon your physical exercise wishes, there is certainly a possibility that it may be combined with mental activity. For example, if you enjoy walking as a method of physical exercise, try paying close attention to the area in which you walk. Use all five of your senses as you follow your path. What do you see? Are there houses, flowers, or a road way? What do you hear? Cars and trucks cruising by, radios blaring, trains or airplanes in the distance—many usual noises in most neighborhoods. What did you feel? Is there a cool breeze, a bit of warm sun? Maybe you touched some tree bark, or some leaves on plants growing nearby. What did you smell and/or taste? Were there fragrant flowers close by? How about a fruit tree along the walkway?
As always, I will mention that walking with a friend will allow an interchange of questions and answers about things that you have observed. Different objects, sounds and odors are often observed by each person.
I hope that you can spend time every day paying close attention to happenings around you. The importance cannot be stressed too much.