Good listening skills take practice – lots of practice. As we grow older we lose muscle mass very quickly if we do not practice. We also lose our keener, more finely tuned brain synapses when we are not talking or practicing our hearing. The good news arrives by making sure that you have a good conversation or that you play some good listening/thinking games every day which will assist you in keeping your hearing in shape. Walking and other exercise also assists in keeping your listening skills and balance systems vital; we also need to practice hearing.
Have you ever been listening to someone only to discover your mind has focused on something else and you have missed a large portion of what was being uttered? Your brain has heard something, which has triggered a side trip to the conversation. The brain likes shortcuts so will indulge in these kinds of transfers of focus more frequently over time as we age. The elderly often do this because memories are much more practiced than what is going on currently.
One good way to practice is to do crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or listen to music and then try to repeat a passage out loud by singing or playing on a keyboard or other instrument. I like to play card games to keep numbers in prime shape and also online word games with my family and friends. It is important to talk about the word you chose and to hear it out loud.
Another excellent tool is listening to books on tape and of course reading a paragraph out loud from the newspaper or magazine you’re enjoying. Sing along with your favorite group or movie; what fun!
The rule of thumb about keeping your listening skills vital is one should practice as often as one brushes their teeth a day.
It is one reason great meditators as they focus say OOHMM!
Our Professional Listening business grows with word of mouth referrals, we hope you will keep us in mind and share our spot with friends and family who need to be heard.
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