Top
20
Activities
to
Jumpstart
Your
Brain:
Tips
from
Dr.
Paula
- Learn
a
new
word
every
day,
including
its
spelling,
origin,
and
meaning.
- Visit
museums
regularly.
- Read
and
discuss
news
articles
and
watch
in
depth
news
programs.
- Attend
musical
concerts,
or
better
yet,
practice
a
musical
instrument
or
join
a
choir.
- Engage
in
aerobic
exercise
3
times
a
week.
- Eat
a
heart
healthy
diet
with
plenty
of
fruits
and
vegetables.
- Join
a
walking
club,
take
a
yoga
class,
or
hire
a
personal
trainer.
- Join
a
book
club.
- Go
to
stimulating
lectures;
take
a
class
in
a
local
college
or
adult
learning
program.
- Record
your
thoughts
in
a
journal.
- Regularly
watch
shows
on
PBS.
- Volunteer
for
an
organization
or
cause
that
is
new
to
you.
- Do
crossword
or
Sudoku
puzzles,
or
play
Scrabble
or
card
games
requiring
skill.
- Write
your
memoir.
- Memorize
poetry
or
bible
verses,
or
excerpts
from
a
play.
- Write
a
letter
to
the
editor
of
the
newspaper
on
a
topic
for
which
you
have
a
strong
opinion.
Be
sure
to
research
your
facts
first.
- Study
maps
of
the
world
and
learn
some
geographic
facts.
- Play
computer
brain
games
or
chess
against
a
computer.
- Learn
a
new
language
or
practice
one
you
haven’t
studied
in
years.
- Vacation
in
an
area
you
have
not
visited
previously.
The
main
idea
is to
engage
in
novel,
fun,
learning
opportunities.
Paula
Hartman-Stein,
Ph.D.
Center
for
Healthy
Aging