Neuroscientists Say These Hobbies Help Keep Your Brain Sharp
“Many hobbies challenge your mind, which strengthens the brain’s ability to adapt and build new connections,” explains one expert.
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Living a long and healthy life might be surprisingly impacted by your leisure activities. Finding the right hobbies to keep your brain sharp is something that doctors recommend for people of all ages. No matter what your interests are — getting outside, music, painting, socializing with others in your community — there's sure to be a brain-boosting hobby on this list that you'll want to try.
“Engaging in hobbies is one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy,” says Vonetta Dotson, PhD, chief of neuropsychology at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, author of Keep Your Wits About You: The Science of Brain Maintenance as You Age and founder and CEO of CerebroFit Integrated Brain Health. “Many hobbies, such as making art or playing music, challenge your mind, which strengthens the brain’s ability to adapt and build new connections.”
“Learning something new is stimulating and rewarding. Many studies have shown that novel, positive experiences promote the release of dopamine, which reinforces the actions involved in the positive experience,” says Margaret Rice, PhD, professor in the departments of neurosurgery and neuroscience at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Here are the best hobbies for brain health, according to experts.
Aerobic Exercise
It’s probably no surprise that physical activity, such as brisk walking or hiking, tops the list of hobbies that are good for you. One recent review found that exercise improved cognitive function in the study participants in their 50s and older, regardless of their cognitive status. It doesn't matter what you choose: “The best exercise is the one you’ll do regularly,” says Rice.
Dancing
Take a dance class alone or go dancing regularly with a partner, either way, dancing requires both physical and mental engagement, which supports neuroplasticity. While dancing ticks the box for aerobic exercise, it also often involves a social aspect, which is protective for brain health, says Dotson.
Music
Whether listening to music, singing, or learning to play a musical instrument, music has been shown to keep our brains nimble. Research hasn’t identified why music is so good for us, but one theory is that it engages multiple neural systems of the brain. In addition, if you’re learning a new instrument, for example, you’re challenging your brain to adapt, and novelty activates neuroplasticity, says Dotson.
Gardening
Whether you plant flowers, vegetables or herbs, gardening has been shown to be good for the brain. One study showed levels of brain nerve growth factors related to memory were significantly increased after gardening activity. Gardening also yields a sense of accomplishment, which is linked with better cognitive health, says Dotson.
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Arts and Crafts
Creating something with your hands is another way to keep your brain healthy. Dotson notes that one study found that engaging in visual arts, such as coloring, doodling and free drawing, activated the medial prefrontal cortex. Participants found the activities relaxing and reporting improvements in creativity and problem-solving at the end of each art-making session.
TRY IT: Fun Craft Ideas
Volunteering
Social interaction keeps the brain agile, and volunteering also allows us to feel a sense of connection and purpose, says Dotson. One study found that formal volunteering was associated with higher levels of cognitive functioning over time, especially working memory and processing.
Needlecraft
Sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, lacemaking and embroidery are hobbies that can support brain health. Dotson highlights the findings of a recent review which noted that needlecraft has a positive effect on mental health and general well-being, including fostering social connection and providing a sense of purpose, achievement and satisfaction.
Reading
One long-term study found that reading, especially in those who do it more than once a week, prevents long-term decline in cognitive function in older people. Reading keeps language centers activated, so choose whatever fascinates you, whether it’s mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction, says Rice.
TRY IT: Join the GH Book Club!
Puzzles and Games
Research has found that your daily word puzzle aren’t just a way to waste time; they support brain health. “Word puzzles can help your language skills and strategic and flexible thinking,” says Rice. So, go ahead and enjoy your daily dose of Wordle, Scrabble or a word search.
Birdwatching
Besides supporting local wildlife, who knew birding could be good for you? Dotson points to a recent study that found that encounters with birdlife were associated with improvements in mental wellbeing, including in people with a diagnosis of depression. So, go ahead and feed the birds or bird watch in your own backyard to get a positive brain boost.
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