Studies suggest that learning something new-anything, really-helps preserve general mental acumen as you get older. The idea is that while doing a puzzle only stimulates certain aspects of memory and critical thinking, practicing an unfamiliar skill prompts the brain to create new cells and get bigger in areas that support lots of different cognitive functions. Not sure where to start? Some research suggests that learning a foreign language might be particularly beneficial, no matter how late in life. But keep in mind that these new hobbies need not be cerebral. Novelty is the real key. In fact, one 2013 study by the University of Texas at Dallas found that even quilting had a notable brain-boosting benefit for seniors, as long they had never practiced the craft before. There isn't really any data on how quickly the newness of a task wears off, so the safest move is to become a lifelong scholar and jack of all trades. -RF
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