Starting something new is one of the most enjoyable ways to give your mind a workout, and a well-known study suggests the kind of new thing matters. Here is what researchers found, what they could not tell us, and how to pick a project you will actually look forward to.
What the Research Found
In a study published in Psychological Science in 2014, researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas followed 221 adults aged 60 to 90. People were randomly assigned to groups that each spent about 15 hours a week for three months. Some learned digital photography, some learned quilting, and some did both. Other groups spent their time on social activities such as outings and games, or on familiar activities at home such as listening to music and doing simple word puzzles.
At the end of three months, the people who had been learning demanding new skills showed better episodic memory (memory for recent events and experiences) than the social group and the at-home group. The lead researcher, Denise Park, summed it up this way: inside your comfort zone, you may be outside the “enhancement zone.”
The Catch
This was one study, and the time commitment was large: roughly a part-time job’s worth of hours each week, in a dedicated center. It measured memory test scores after three months, not who develops dementia years later. The researchers themselves called the idea that challenging activity might slow brain aging speculation. So this is encouraging evidence about learning, not a promise about the future.
It also does not mean that social time or familiar hobbies are a waste. They bring enjoyment and connection, which matter in their own right. The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, which lists 14 factors that may be changed, recommends staying engaged in physical, social and cognitive activities.
Picking a Skill You’ll Stick With
The study’s skills had a few things in common: they were new to the person, they took real effort, and they kept getting a little harder. You can borrow those ideas with almost any hobby.
- Choose something unfamiliar. Watercolor, a new language, chess, woodworking, a musical instrument, genealogy, or a smartphone camera course all count.
- Start small and regular. Twenty to thirty minutes, a few times a week, is easier to keep up than a big plan that fades after two weeks.
- Raise the bar gently. When a step starts to feel easy, try the next one: a harder piece of music, a new quilt pattern, a longer conversation.
- Learn with others if you like. A class at a library, community college or senior center adds friendly company on top of the challenge.
- Allow for mistakes. Struggling a bit at the start is normal, and it is part of what makes learning worthwhile.
Where Puzzles Fit In
Puzzles are a pleasant way to spend a few minutes, and a daily puzzle can be a nice routine. But as we explain in our look at what the research says about puzzles, the evidence that puzzles protect against dementia is limited. Think of them as one enjoyable piece of a full life, alongside learning, moving, sleeping well and seeing friends.
If a favorite puzzle has become very easy, that is a good sign it is time to try a harder type, or to learn something new alongside it.
More from Daily Brain Club
- Do Puzzles Really Keep Your Brain Sharp? What the Research Says
- Where Did I Put My Keys? Simple Habits for Everyday Forgetfulness
- Normal Forgetfulness or Something More? How to Tell the Difference
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you notice changes in memory or thinking, talk to your doctor.
Sources
- Psychological Science: The Impact of Sustained Engagement on Cognitive Function in Older Adults (Park et al., 2014)
- Association for Psychological Science: Learning New Skills Keeps an Aging Mind Sharp
- University of Texas at Dallas: Mentally Challenging Activities Improve Memory as Baby Boomers Age
- Alzheimer Europe: 2024 Lancet Commission underscores potential for dementia risk reduction