It’s OK to Play!
Tips and ideas for putting joy into your daily lives
Dear Caregivers,
We all know that caregiving is very hard work. It takes patience, determination, and whole lot of grit to get through the day. But it’s important to remember that amidst all this work, you need to make time for you, and your loved one, to play. Play is a natural part of every human’s behavior, and play has been shown to relieve stress, stimulate the brain, and strengthen relationships.
Making time to play is a vitally important part of the caregiver’s toolkit. Read on for some ideas on how to add some fun for you and your loved one every day.
Play Some Games:
Research shows that games help stave off dementia, strengthen critical thinking skills, and promote overall brain health. Here are some brain sharpeners, puzzles, and board games to try out.
Change It Up:
Regular exercise, social interaction, and a healthy diet can all boost your brainpower. But so can simply doing familiar things in unfamiliar ways. That’s because disrupting regular routines can stimulate new nerve cells to create new activities. Here are some suggestions for how to add some fun novelty to your day.
Get Engaged:
Sometimes even simple activities such as singing old songs, working with clay, or making a bird feeder can create a sense of play. Try these activities to keep your loved one occupied and engaged.
Explore New Places:
Seeing the world in a new light can bring fun and joy into the day. As an exclusive offering of NAN, you can visit the beautiful city of Florence and explore its majestic, ancient churches, all from your chair. Click here to watch a virtual video tour of this famous city and its treasures.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
"We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
— George Bernard Shaw
