Keeping the mind in shape with memoir-writing
by Beth
In addition to my job moderating this blog for Easter Seals Headquarters, I also lead three different memoir-writing classes every week for senior citizens here in Chicago. Mary Leary’s guest post last Friday served as a reminder of how much getting memories down on paper can help seniors with brain health, too.
Writers in those classes tell me that writing a story down on paper for class each week keeps their brains working. Sitting down to write provides a person with time to think, and then to search their brain for just the right word. If that fails, searching through the dictionary can solve the quandary and expose writers to new words, too. Writing a story down on paper makes it feel more official, and because I have every writer read their story out loud in class, they think hard about what they write.
Writers in my classes tell me how important they think it is for them to stay active, both in body and in mind. One writer said she thinks about her brain as a muscle. She tells me, “The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets!”
My memoir-writing classes took a break over the holidays, but one of them starts up again this afternoon, January 6. In addition to giving them a new writing assignment, I’ll be giving them information about how Easter Seals has teamed up with Posit Science to start a special Train Your Brain program. Writers in that class are a curious bunch—I know they’ll want to learn more about the brain training exercises there, and they’ll want to read about the new initiatives around brain health on the Easter Seals Brain Health Center webpage. After all, as one expert says, “The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets!”
April 22nd, 2014 at 7:00 pm
I am constantly searching online for ideas that can assist me. Thank you!
the louis vuitton
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:12 pm
I identified your weblog on yahoo and can bookmark it currently. carry on the nice function.
michael kors watch mk5055
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Thought I would comment and say awesome theme, did you create it yourself? It looks superb!
michael kors jelly thong
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:11 pm
I always was interested in this topic and still am, thank you for putting up.
michael kors store locations
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
pink beats by dre
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:09 pm
I have been reading the posts, and I have to concur with what John said.
monster studio by dr dre
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:09 pm
It is the easiest element in the world, but overall the notion is quite sound.
michael michael kors crossbody leather purse
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:08 pm
That is really fascinating, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in search of more of your magnificent post. Additionally, Ive shared your web site in my social networks!
stores that carry toms
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Fantastic blog post. I used to be checking constantly to this weblog & I am so inspired! Very educational info, especially the closing paragraphs. I really want such info. I used to be looking for this kind of information for lengthy time. Thank you & good luck.
toms outlet coupon code
April 22nd, 2014 at 4:07 pm
authentic epileptic kerplunk hearts auger lowitsch sweetenlo iakovlev veneer
black michael kors purse
April 22nd, 2014 at 1:48 pm
But wanna state that this is very beneficial , Thanks for taking your time to write this.
online coach sale
April 22nd, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Great stuff.Id like to suggest taking a look at things like sausages. What are your thoughts?
the coach outlet online shop
[url=http://www.torontopoetryslam.com/db/the-coach-outlet-online-shop.html]the coach outlet online shop[/url]
January 14th, 2014 at 3:15 am
Yes — everyone brings a copy of what they’ve written with them to class, and each writer reads the essay they’ve written out loud. Ideal for sharing life stories with others!
January 10th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Do your writets get together to write and share? I used to teach writing classes for College of DuPage and we used the peer editing process. I only have a desktop right now, so I would write in class in longhand.But to do the peer editing process, in the old days, everyone had their own paper copy. In today’s paperless world, I think documents are shared.(?)What do I know–I retired 13 years ago!