How to Keep Your Brain Engaged After 70

**How to Keep Your Brain Engaged After 70**

Staying mentally active after 70 isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful way to maintain cognitive health. Here are simple, enjoyable activities that keep your brain sharp:

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**1. Play Brain-Training Games**
Apps like **Lumosity**, **Peak**, or **CogniFit** offer games designed by neuroscientists to boost memory, attention, and problem-solving[2]. For example, Peak’s “Coach” feature creates daily workouts tailored to your progress[2]. Prefer classics? Try **Wordle** or crossword puzzles—they’re low-pressure and great for vocabulary[2][5].

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**2. Cook New Recipes**
Experimenting with unfamiliar dishes (like Thai curry or sourdough bread) challenges your brain by requiring multitasking, sequencing, and decision-making[5]. Even small kitchen tasks can improve cognitive flexibility over time[5].

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**3. Learn Card Games With Friends**
Games like bridge or poker aren’t just social—they sharpen memory and strategic thinking as you track moves and predict outcomes[5]. Even solo card games like solitaire help concentration[5].

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**4. Take a Different Walk Route Daily**
Changing your walking path activates the hippocampus (the brain’s navigation center), improving spatial memory and adaptability[5]. Try walking backward in a familiar store or using a new stairwell for an extra challenge[5].

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**5. Do Puzzles Together (or Solo)**
Jigsaw puzzles engage pattern recognition and patience, while tabletop activities like arranging colored letters can spark creativity—especially helpful for those with early memory concerns[3][4]. Join group puzzle sessions at community centers for added social benefits[4][1].

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The key is consistency: even 15–20 minutes daily of these activities can make a difference. Mix them up to keep things fresh—your brain thrives on novelty!