Do Crossword or Number Puzzles to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Keep your brain fit as you age by stimulating it with memory exercises and problem-solving games. Doing daily crossword or number puzzles means your brain gets a sustained cognitive workout every day. Experts say that such mental aerobics can stave off neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. In one study, leisure activities associated with reduced risk of dementia also included reading or playing a musical instrument. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that stimulating and challenging mental activities can build up cognitive reserve. That means as brain cells are lost due to aging, there will be new cells to replace them.