At first, the thought of keeping a journal can conjure mental images of pink notebooks and “Dear Diary…” But in reality, journaling is a powerful tool that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, especially seniors.
The Top 5 Benefits of Journaling for Seniors
Journaling for seniors promotes many benefits, here are the top five benefits of seniors putting pen to paper:
1. Memory Preservation
Keeping a journal is an excellent way to record your thoughts and experiences. Whether it be as small as jotting down a conversation or meal you had to things as large as recounting a favorite trip you took. By recording your memories you’re creating a living memory that can be passed down to for generations to come.
2. Exercise Your Mind
It’s a fact that journaling can help keep your brain in tip-top shape. The act of writing daily is proven to sharpen the ability to recall and information and remember it down the line. Journaling prompts can even help bring up memories you had long forgotten. Use our writing prompts below to see what memories come up for you!
3. Creates Routine
Add structure into your day by setting time aside to write. Record healthy balanced meals, exercise, to-dos, or activities you have planned for that day. It is reported by many that journaling at night helps them relax and can even improve their ability to fall asleep.
4. Boosts Creativity
Journaling doesn’t just have to be about the mundane. Take your writing to the next level by trying your hand at poetry, doodling or starting the book you always wanted to write!
5. Stress Relief
Putting your mental state first is one of the most important things an individual can do for their health. Journaling provides an outlet to express worries, grief and anxieties. Pouring your thoughts onto the page can lift the weight off your shoulders that comes from holding emotions in.
Now that we have established the top five benefits of journaling for seniors and older adults. You need some easy to write about prompts to get you started.
Journaling Prompts for Seniors: How to Get Started
A thought provoking journal prompt can be a challenge to think of for seniors. We recommend starting small. Instead of exhausting yourself thinking of the perfect topic, we recommend you just start writing. Even writing about what happened to you that day can be an ideal writing prompt. If you would like some additional ideas, here are some of our favorites:
Day-to-Day:
- List things that made you happy today or jot down the day’s events.
- Do you have any recurring dreams? Describe them.
- Keep track of your food, exercise and sleep.
- Stream of consciousness. Write down thoughts as you have them.
Memories:
- Favorite childhood memories? Where did you play? Who did you play with?
- Describe your childhood bedroom, high school, first home.
- What were some traditions your family observed during your early life? Do any of those traditions survive to this day in your family?
- Write your life story in 10 sentences or less.
- What are your top 5 life tips?
Outdoor Writing Prompts:
- Spend 15 minutes outside observing the world around you. Write about what you notice most.
- What is your favorite season? Why?
- Do you see any shapes in the clouds? Draw what you see.
- Write about the worst weather you’ve ever experienced.
- What are your favorite plants, flowers, trees, vegetables?
Love the peace and quiet? Try taking your writing to our library and business center. Or, enjoy a warm drink in the coffee lounge. Our multi-purpose and game rooms offer a lively atmosphere to bounce ideas off of your friends and share your stories as you write.
Indoor Writing Prompts:
- Favorite book as a child? As an adult? How have your tastes changed through time?
- What is your favorite card game? Do you have a good poker face?
- What was the first movie you ever saw in a theater?
- What was the first concert you attended?
- How do you take your coffee? How has it changed?
Tip: Use Your Surroundings to Spark Inspiration
Our facilities are located on 10 acres of land in Nashville, surrounding Lake Burton. Take the time and space to journal in any of our natural spaces, along the walking paths, on our patios or near the community greenhouse.
Happy writing!