1. Play mind games: The mind games that you could play could include crosswords, puzzles, chess, draughts or cards. Now that more companies are producing mind games into affordable booklets, I find that when I need a time out, a little crossword book helps me the most. There are easier puzzles that are suitable for children like find – a – words. The mind games you play are challenging when you try to complete it.
2. Read a book: You could choose from a variety of genres. They can be whatever genre you prefer and whatever length you like. I prefer the lengthy thick novels, I tend to get lost in imagery when I read. Mystery / Crime solving fictional books work well.
3. Keep a diary/ write letters: These could be daily, weekly or fortnightly activities. This can also help you release some stress, and you do not have to send the letters if you prefer not to. Sometimes I imagine myself writing to celebrities about functions that make me think, “I wonder how much food the party will need from catering tonight”.
4. Learn new skills: I find after I have mastered a skill like Tae Kwon Do, I prefer to find what the limits of that skill I can achieve. At Tae Kwon do, this was to actually go into Tae Kwon Do competitions. Although there was huge pressure to it, I found new limits while competing. So finding new hobbies to do, may surprise you with a hidden talent inside.
5. Take a course or learn a new language: Have you always wanted to learn the language of a country you wished you could visit. I know I do, and this affects me every day, but I know I cannot go. What I do to get it out of my system, was take up the language of the foreign country. You get to meet more people who also have the same passion in class. It was great fun learning Spanish. I could use my spare time for Japanese lessons, which my daughter is doing now. It is fun and worth it. This also increases socialising to meet new friends.
6. Take up a hobby: It is pretty simple to choose a new hobby to do. There are hundreds of hobbies to choose from and some include; Candle making, Dance lessons, Hike, Volunteer or learn to knit. Choose a hobby that is challenging, but is not too difficult.
7. Visit museums: This is great, they are mostly free and you get great information from it. On the plus side, most of them are local. I am sure that you have passed by a museum in the car and never thought more than two seconds about it. I find that when I understand the past from these museums I learn something new, but I can also help educate my children when they do not understand topics. It is really fun to see them light up and go “wow, how did you know that?”. Then when you tell them where you got the answer, you soon will be having trips to the museum with company. On the plus side, this does increase family bonding time, and improves knowledge. This will keep the kids more entertained than video games.
8. Prepare meals that require some thought: Remember there was a time when people hosted extravagant dinner parties that had so much depth to it. Well lets bring that back to life and create a flamboyant four to five course meal for a party of five. A lot of thought goes into the guest list, seating arrangement, cutlery setting, theme, budgeting, decorations, entertainment, food and drinks.
This variety of special activities can help give your brain an exercise. You can also mix it up, one day you could do one activity and then the other you could do another. Or you could challenge your friends, which is also entertaining and enjoyable.
