1. Manage your sleep
No one copes well without enough sleep – so establish a good bedtime routine and avoid daytime napping so that your body knows the difference between night and day.
Try sticking to the same bedtime and make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and cool enough for you to sleep well. Wake at the same time every morning, too.
You can find more sleep tips here
2. Start a regular routine
By having a set routine to your day and week you’ll find it easier to remember things. Planning out your week also means there’s enough time for a good mix of activities such as socialising, keeping fit and all the things you enjoy for a balanced and healthy life.
3. Go outside
Spending time outdoors – especially early in the day – does you a lot of good. Natural daylight helps to set your body clock, gets you into a positive routine and is great for your mood. If you can, go for an early morning walk. If that’s not possible, enjoy a cuppa in the garden in the morning.
4. Get social
It’s important to stay connected to others because loneliness and lack of social contact can make dementia-like symptoms worse.
Click here to find out what’s on in your area.
5. Eat well
No one is at their best when you’re hungry or thirsty and you will feel better if your diet is nutritionally sound and you are well hydrated.
But it can be difficult to remember to eat and drink sometimes, so add meals into your daily routine when you’re planning it out.
Why not download our handy Meal Planner – it will help you to shop, prepare and enjoy good food and make regular meals simple to include in your daily routine.
6. Make your home safe
There are some small practical changes you can make to your environment that will make life easier.
From clearing clutter to improving the lighting and security measures, take simple practical steps to help you to stay safe and secure. You can apply for a free home assessment, too.
7. Use technology
Whether you’re a tech-head or prefer old-school ways, now’s the time to get curious about the ways in which technology can help you. Whether it’s simply setting an alarm on your phone as a reminder about an appointment or getting an app that helps you to turn on the lights and central heating in your home, now’s the time to get on board with technology.
8. Embrace hobbies
If you have a hobby or interest that you love, keep going with it. If you haven’t, now’s the time to find one you enjoy. Whether it’s knitting, bowling, doing crosswords, volunteering in your local community or singing, keeping your mind busy has great benefits. Bonus points if it’s a hobby that get you out of the house, too.
Read more about hobbies and interests here.
9. Move your body
Staying active brings immense benefits so if you’re not an active person, now’s the time to start. You’ll find lots of ideas for ways to get active here including easy ways to keep fit at home.
10. Ask for help
Be realistic about what you can do by yourself and what you need help with. Identify people in your life who can help with care, finances, legal admin and day-to-day routine – this might mean different people for different tasks.
Don’t feel bad if you find yourself needing help with your feelings, either. Sometimes family and loved ones are not the best at helping us with emotions, so speak to your GP if you’re struggling with fears and worries.