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Curiosity Is Key for Keeping Your Memory in Top Shape as You Age—Here Are 4 Exercises That Are Better Than Brain Games

A middle-aged man with glasses and a blue shirt against a light gray background; his hand is on his chin and he is smiling thoughtfully.

Well+Good

Francesca Krempa

When it comes to brain health, we know a ton of different components can influence our capacity for lasting memory and cognition. Staying hydrated, practicing yoga, and even doing household chores can all help keep our brains in tip-top shape as we age. But one of the best exercises for the brain, according to experts? Experiencing new things.“The enemy of neuroplasticity is status quo thinking, or going on auto-pilot,” says Jennifer Zientz, MS, CCC/SLP, head of clinical services at Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas. “Cultivating curiosity and being an active participant in life keeps neuroplasticity going.”“When people stop engaging in deeper level thinking, innovative thinking, novel experiences—whatever their interests are—that results in status quo function,” says Zientz. “We can be healthy people and not do anything challenging to us, but we won’t be leveraging neuroplasticity in a healthy way.”
Tired of puzzles? Here are 4 other memory-boosting exercises for the brain, with options for every age.
1. Activate your inner movie (or book) critic
Sometimes there’s nothing better than a relaxing Netflix binge. But if you want to put those synapses to work, set down the remote and really reflect on what you’re observing. “After a movie, stop and think about all the bigger messages or themes that were conveyed,” says Zientz. “As you think about abstract concepts, you’ll engage your frontal network.”
2. Have kids? Get them involved with exercises for the brain
It’s never too early to start strengthening neuroplasticity. For parents with children, Zientz recommends striking up a meaningful conversation after school or around the dinner table. “I like to ask my own kids to describe their day using three different words,” she says. “Even if they’re not the most complex concepts, it makes them stop and think. And it’s a way for parents to engage with their kids, which helps them build confidence in interacting with adults.”
3. Think like a reporter
This is the adult version of the previous tip: rather than describing your day in three words, try and condense your day into a headline.“Think about how you would condense a complex idea into a provocative or catchy statement,” says Zientz. Our frontal networks, which are responsible for sensory, motor and cognitive functions, are activated when we’re forced to think in concise ways. This should go beyond just stating how you went about your day—get creative with how you summarize your experiences to better harness that brainpower.
4. Gain a different perspective
It’s natural to surround ourselves with friends who have the same views or scroll through news that’s aligned with our politics. Most of us seek information that supports our own thinking—but that echo chamber can throw our brains into status quo function.Instead, purposefully engage in conversations with others whose views oppose your own. (Say, a family member who doesn’t share your enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccination—or vice versa.) The goal isn’t to pick a fight, but to deepen and enrich your own understanding.“It’s not about changing your mind or somebody else’s mind, it’s just about trying to understand,” Zientz says. “Exercising that flexibility takes cognitive effort.” So family reunion debates are actually good exercises for the brain—who knew?Read full story

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Jennifer Zientz, MS, CCC-SLP

Director of Programs, Head of Clinical Services

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