AARP Rewards Community Learning & Earning Contest August 2022

I am staying at work since it is challenging to find ways to do tasks differently with the latest technology and changes that keep occuring to our work software applications.

I meditate and read from a spiritual text to prepare my mind every morning. I enjoy gardening on my balcony after I get up, then I take my service dogs on a walk (which varies from a mile to just across the street, depending on my pain level). I have a mild allergy to the sun, so I have to wear a light jacket. Despite having to cover up, it still feels good to be outside in the sun. This helps me to maintain a relaxed and positive mental state throughout the day. To continue keeping my brain active (Did I mention I've had to isolate BEFORE COVID? I have a compromised immune system, so I can't go anywhere. There's only a handful of people that can be around me and most of them have to wear a mask), I will cook, sew, do my nails (my natural nails are very long, so it's cheaper to do them myself), and/or take care of my service dogs.

After I walk the dogs in the evening, I'll do a workout/ weight training for, at least, 30 minutes. This helps me get any negative thoughts out of my mind and gets me ready to go to bed. Lastly, I'll read an actual book, or play single person card games. I'm a musician, so I'm always hearing/ listening to music, which leads me to singing/ playing an instrument. This is my antidepressant. It stimulus my brain and releases endorphins. It keeps my depression in remission. 

I'm embarking on a new journey to help me continue to further stimulate my mind by starting an intellectual podcast and learning to speak another language, as well.

Somebody I love died from dementia and it made me want to take better care of myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have degrees in psychology and sociology, so I strongly believe taking care of/ exercising my brain is very important. 

Keeping my brain active and engaged is really a whole body experience . Taking OLLIE classes has been a great way to connect with my community, which has lead me to volunteer as a docent at Cal State University Long Beach Contemporary Art Museum. Interacting with beautiful works of art, and experimenting with creative techniques
is stimulating, as well as, fun.
Daily walks energizes my mental capacity, while having an attitude of gratitude enlivens my spirit. Positive relationships with family and friends keeps my husband and I feeling fortunate and blessed.

I recently moved to a retirement village and joined an exercise class as well as attending other events designed to introduce new residents to other long term and new residents. In doing so I am challenged to learn a multitude of new names. So I practice remembering names by assigning or attaching their name to something I already know or am familiar with such as a place or thing. I am also volunteering with Meals on Wheels which, again, challenges me to remember new names along with helping me to socialize with the community.  I am also pushing myself to join different groups for activities. Even while working I have never been engaged in so many different scenarios for for learning and changing.

I've taken entrepreneur classes, I read Scripture, I am considering taking another language to help those who's healing is not in complete fruition of not being able to hear-Sign Language. I watch the Natures animals out here from bees, ladybug, squirrels, frogs, possom, skunk, deer, all kinds of birds. I've been able to explore an apartment as an arbortorium where caterpillars expand to butterflies of all variety. Engaging my brain activing comes mostly comes from Above-Live Entertainment. Thank you. Stay Healthy!!!! 

I read as much as I can daily to keep my brain stimulated.

Please make notifications stop going to my email I tried to go to settings but it won’t work!

For last 10 years or so I have been completing on line survey for a dozen organizations(Toluna,You Gov,Junky Surveys,My Points,One Opinion,Ipsos,ERewards ETC)I acumulate points for answering questions.I then earn cash rewards,resturant gift cards,other gift cards,political surveys,product surveys.These keep me sharp on a daily basis and avoid old age problems.I also get to eat at restuarantsI like and keeps me young.Joseph

My parents spoke broken French [patois] with each other but never taught us to speak it.  This started my fascination with French.  Several decades ago, I spent two weeks in Paris and today, in my 70's, I study French at least 2 hours per day, to keep my brain active and to stay engaged.

Pamela

I retired in June and now spend more time volunteering as an EMT at my local fire department. I spend 12 to 24 hours a week there. There is constant training, and I love interacting with my patients, especially the elderly, and learning from them. It not only keeps my brain active, but keeps the gratitude coming.