Keep your brain young
The older you get, the wiser you’ll be, if you tap the knowledge you’ve gained over the years. Still, memory slips are part of aging. These science-backed ideas can help you stay sharp.
Download a crossword app
Try some crosswords or sudoku, which help delay the onset of advanced memory decline in those with dementia by two and a half years, found a study in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.
Keep learning
Acquiring skills in later life may reduce or delay brain changes associated with aging, a study in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found. It may be time to let your grandkids teach you TikTok. Or sign up for a site like FutureLearn.com, which hosts free classes in everything from poetry to sustainability in the wine industry.
Unleash your inner artist
Older adults who paint, draw, or sculpt were up to 73 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment than those without these hobbies.
Subscribe to a puzzle service
Doing puzzles flexes multiple cognitive abilities, like perception, memory, and reasoning, a study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found. Try a subscription from Buffalo Games (buffalogames.com).
Stay social
Whether you join a book club, attend activities at your local community center, or just carve out time for friends, social connection can slow mental decline, according to research in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Prioritizing the people in your life is always a smart move!
