Fun activities to keep your brain sharp.
Q: I start with the letter “E,” end with the letter “E,” and I only have one letter. What am I?
A: An envelope.
Experts believe that brain teasers like these can sharpen your mind and forge neural pathways that may improve your overall health and happiness, and possibly protect against disease. Keep your brain in tip-top shape with these mind exercises that are fulfilling, rewarding, and fun:
- Play a musical instrument
- Read fiction
- Start a new hobby
- Play brain exercise games
- Learn a new word every day
- Assemble a jigsaw puzzle
- Use the opposite hand
- Meditate
Discover more about these ways to build your mental fitness below.
1. Play a musical instrument
Learning a new, complex skill, like playing an instrument, has been shown to help your brain make connections more efficiently. It can also be incredibly rewarding.
Watch this video to learn how playing an instrument benefits your brain.
2. Read fiction
Neuroscientists discovered that reading fiction novels enhances connectivity in the brain and improves brain function. The reason may be that a novel invites you to put yourself into the protagonist’s shoes, which can exercise your mind and imagination.
Ready for a new book? Check out the New York Times Best Sellers list here.
3. Start a new hobby
Hobbies that challenge your fine motor skills will help to exercise your brain. Knitting, ceramics, woodworking,and painting are all excellent ways to challenge your mind while boosting your creativity.
What type of crafter are you? Take this short quiz to find out.
4. Play brain exercise games
AARP developed this series of fun brain exercise games for adults that offer an enjoyable way to test your mind’s reflexes, critical thinking skills, and attention span.
Take a free brain health assessment to receive recommended articles and games to try.
5. Learn a word every day
Enhancing your brain’s language centers and prefrontal lobes by learning a new vocabulary word every day is great way to exercise your mind.
Sign up to receive the Word of the Day email from Oxford English Dictionary here.
6. Assemble a jigsaw puzzle
Enhanced memory, problem-solving skills, visual-spatial reasoning, and IQ are just a few of the benefits of assembling jigsaw puzzles to keep your brain sharp.
Check out this list of famous people who enjoy jigsaw puzzles.
7. Use your non-dominant hand
Using your non-dominant hand in daily tasks can give your brain a fun workout. If you’re right-handed, try eating or brushing your teeth with your left hand instead.
8. Meditate
Meditation experts believe that just 20 minutes of meditating can help you foster a sharp mind by channeling, focusing, and clearing your thoughts to make it easier to retain and recollect ideas.
Use these tips and games to exercise your mind today! For more articles on senior living and independence, visit our blog today.
