The best thing to do for your brain | David Eagleman on The TED Interview

TED Audio Collective3 minutes read

Engaging in novel and challenging activities is vital for brain health, particularly as individuals age, according to the Religious Orders Study. To stimulate the brain effectively, individuals should seek out activities that push them beyond their comfort zones and avoid stagnation by switching up activities once they become too easy or predictable.

Insights

  • Engaging in novel and challenging activities, like social interactions and games, is essential for maintaining cognitive function and brain health, particularly as individuals age, as evidenced by the Religious Orders Study.
  • To effectively stimulate the brain, individuals should seek activities that are both challenging and achievable, pushing themselves beyond comfort zones and avoiding stagnation by switching up activities once they become too easy or predictable.

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Recent questions

  • How can I maintain cognitive function as I age?

    To maintain cognitive function as you age, it is crucial to seek novelty and challenges. Engaging in activities that are challenging yet achievable, such as social interactions, chores, responsibilities, games, and conversations, can help stimulate the brain. By constantly pushing yourself beyond your comfort zones and avoiding stagnation, you can keep your brain healthy and active.

  • What activities are beneficial for brain health?

    Activities that are beneficial for brain health include those that are challenging yet achievable. Engaging in social interactions, chores, responsibilities, games, and conversations can help stimulate the brain and maintain cognitive function. It is important to switch up activities once they become too easy or predictable to ensure that you are constantly challenging yourself.

  • Why is seeking novelty important for brain health?

    Seeking novelty is important for brain health because it helps stimulate the brain and maintain cognitive function, especially as individuals age. By engaging in activities that are challenging yet achievable, such as social interactions, chores, responsibilities, games, and conversations, individuals can keep their brains active and healthy.

  • How can I prevent physical brain degeneration?

    To prevent physical brain degeneration, it is important to engage in activities that stimulate the brain. Seeking novelty and challenges, such as social interactions, chores, responsibilities, games, and conversations, can help maintain cognitive function despite physical brain degeneration. By constantly pushing yourself beyond your comfort zones and avoiding stagnation, you can prevent physical brain degeneration.

  • What can I do to keep my brain healthy?

    To keep your brain healthy, it is important to engage in activities that are challenging yet achievable. Seeking novelty and challenges, such as social interactions, chores, responsibilities, games, and conversations, can help stimulate the brain and maintain cognitive function. By switching up activities once they become too easy or predictable, you can ensure that you are constantly pushing yourself beyond your comfort zones and avoiding stagnation.

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Summary

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"Challenging Activities Key for Brain Health"

  • Seeking novelty and challenges is crucial for brain health, especially as individuals age, as shown by the Religious Orders Study where nuns maintained cognitive function despite physical brain degeneration due to engaging in social interactions, chores, responsibilities, games, and conversations.
  • To effectively stimulate the brain, individuals should engage in activities that are challenging yet achievable, ensuring they constantly push themselves beyond their comfort zones and avoid stagnation, such as switching up activities once they become too easy or predictable.
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