Here’s Why You Should Exercise Your Brain at Any Age
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nicole Avena

We often hear about the importance of physical exercise, but what about mental exercise? Just as we work to keep our bodies strong and flexible, our brains also need regular stimulation to stay sharp, adaptable, and healthy.

No matter your age or stage of life, exercising your brain offers significant benefits for cognitive health, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning.

Here’s why mental fitness should be part of everyone’s routine – from childhood through adulthood.

For Children and Teens: Building the Foundation

In early life, the brain is developing rapidly. Mental stimulation during this stage helps lay the groundwork for academic success, emotional intelligence, and social skills. Activities like reading, learning music, solving puzzles, or engaging in educational games can help:

• Improve memory and concentration
• Support problem-solving and critical thinking
• Encourage curiosity and creativity
• Build confidence and resilience

Parents and educators who prioritize mental exercise early on can help children develop multiple cognitive skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

For Adults: Staying Sharp in a Demanding World

Adulthood often comes with high cognitive demands; whether it’s managing a career, raising a family, or juggling both. Exercising the brain during this stage helps individuals stay mentally agile and emotionally balanced in the face of stress and complexity.

Regular brain workouts can help:

• Improve decision-making and focus
• Boost productivity and multitasking ability
• Reduce mental fatigue and burnout
• Foster innovation and lifelong learning

Adults can benefit from reading, learning new skills, engaging in professional development, or simply trying new hobbies that challenge their brains.

For Older Adults: Protecting Cognitive Health

The brain undergoes natural changes as we age, but staying mentally active can help slow cognitive decline and preserve independence. For older adults, brain exercise isn’t just about keeping busy; it’s about maintaining quality of life.

Benefits may include:

• Strengthened memory and recall
• Slower progression of age-related memory loss
• Increased social engagement and reduced isolation
• Greater sense of purpose and fulfillment

Activities such as learning a new language, joining a book club, playing strategy games, or even teaching others can provide the mental stimulation needed to keep the brain healthy and vibrant.

Brain Exercise is for Everyone

No matter your age, keeping your brain active can improve mental performance, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Just like physical exercise, it’s never too early – or too late – to start. And the best part? Brain workouts can be enjoyable, diverse, and adapted to any interest or ability level.

Here are just a few ways to keep your brain in tip-top shape…

6 of the Best Ways to Exercise Your Brain at Any Age

1. Daily Puzzles and Games

Cognitive challenges – like crosswords, Sudoku, chess, and logic puzzles – are more than just leisure activities, they’re workouts for your brain. These games require memory skills, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking, which can help strengthen neural connections¹ and improve your brain’s processing speed. Even dedicating just 10–15 minutes a day can make a difference over time.

2. Brain Training Apps

Technology has opened new doors for cognitive development. Apps like Lumosity, Elevate, and Peak offer a wide range of exercises designed to improve memory, attention, language, and problem-solving skills. Many of these apps adapt to your performance, ensuring that you’re always being challenged at the right level. They also provide progress tracking, so you can measure improvement over time.

3. Read Regularly

Reading not only boosts knowledge but also enhances focus, empathy,² and comprehension. Whether you’re diving into fiction or non-fiction books, magazines, or online articles, reading encourages your brain to imagine, synthesize information, and think critically. Make reading a daily habit – even 20 minutes a day can help sharpen your mental acuity and broaden your perspective.

4. Learn New Skills

Few things activate the brain like learning something entirely new. Picking up a second language or learning to play a musical instrument engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, including memory, coordination, and problem-solving regions. This kind of complex learning can help build your cognitive reserves, which may help delay mental aging.

5. Engage Socially

Social interaction is a powerful form of brain exercise. Joining clubs, discussion groups, or hobby-based communities encourages conversation, idea exchange, and collaborative thinking. These interactions can help reduce stress, increase motivation, and keep your thinking fresh. Whether it’s a book club, a coding group, or a local volunteer organization, engaging with others regularly is one key to long-term cognitive health.

6. Online Learning

Consider taking an online course to broaden your knowledge base. There are literally thousands of topics to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.

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Amen University

If you’re interested in fitness and whole-body health, we recommend the practical, informative courses at Amen University. Founded in 2015, Dr. Amen’s Amen University helps teach people of all ages from all over the world about practical neuroscience. The courses center around the Amen Clinics Method, which is focused on helping you learn to master your health, emotions, relationships, and create a brighter future for you and the ones you love. This Method has been used to help tens of thousands of patients from 111 countries. You can learn more about Amen University courses here.

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Exercise Your Brain

In today’s fast-paced, knowledge-driven society, mental agility is just as important as physical stamina. Just like your body needs regular workouts to stay healthy, your brain thrives on consistent mental stimulation.

Whether you’re nurturing a young mind, maximizing your potential in adulthood, or preserving your mental agility later in life, exercising your brain is a lifelong investment. A well-exercised brain is more agile, resilient, and capable of handling life’s various challenges, so incorporate a few of these activities into your daily routine to maintain mental sharpness and adaptability.

Your brain thrives on challenge, so stretch it, feed it, and keep it engaged…because having a strong brain can help support a better life.

At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.

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Meet Our Expert

Nicole Avena, PhD

Dr. Nicole Avena completed her PhD in Neuroscience and Psychology from Princeton University, followed by a postdoctoral training fellowship at The Rockefeller University in New York City. She is a research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet and addiction, with a special focus on nutrition during early life and pregnancy, and women’s health. In addition to over 100 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, Dr. Avena has written several books, including What to Eat When You’re Pregnant, What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler and What to Eat When You Want to Get Pregnant.