Exploring a new place is a great way to enjoy the summer while maintaining brain fitness. Traveling promotes a healthy brain, according to the late visionary on aging, Dr. Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, in his seminal work, The Creative Age. Travel is an activity that makes us mentally sweat through the challenge of unfamiliar environments and experiences, which in turn stimulates brain plasticity and cognition to improve memory and problem solving. Even better, document experiences through writing, photography, video and sketches.

For those of us who do not have the luxury or desire to travel too far from home, there is just as much to be gained by making a trip close to home for a staycation. A rewarding staycation could be a simple day trip to a museum, a hike on a nearby trail or taking in a local street festival. The benefits to brain health are realized by engaging in a new activity in a new environment that challenges us, and is not a result of the physical distance we travel.

San Francisco Village’s social, cultural and educational programs provide a variety of groups in which our members can enjoy new local travel adventures without going too far from home and without the common worries associated with doing something alone. The positive impacts of strong social networks on the health of the mind, body and brain can be profound, with correlations to improved blood pressure, stress levels, immune system and longevity.

We welcome you to join us for your next staycation at a San Francisco Village program event. Our Program Committee Co-Chairs, Marilyn Campbell and Nina Huebsch, are always planning fun, educational and rejuvenating activities for SF Village members to enjoy. Thank you so much to Marilyn and Nina for their dedication and hard work.

We hope to see you at our next outing!