Age-proof your mind

psychologies DOSSIER With you in mind

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1 SHAKE THINGS UP

Variety makes things fresh and interesting; it keeps your brain sharp and your body alive - part of the reason why we feel rejuvenated after a holiday is the break from routine. We're naturally creatures of habit, so doing things differently might take a bit of effort at first, but you'll soon feel the benefits. Whether it's swapping Wordle for a sudoku, choosing a different genre of book, taking up a hobby, learning a skill, or visiting somewhere new, these all require different ways of thinking and build what neuroscientists call 'cognitive reserve'.

'Lifelong learning requires us to have a growth mindset, to "up-size" our knowledge of the world,' says health coach Susan Saunders. 'And it doesn't matter what we learn - it's the learning that makes the difference, firing up our curiosity and engaging our minds.'

Many women decide that the best way to keep their minds feeling younger is to really change up their life and train for a new career. 'As humans, we are meant to grow, stretch, and expand,' says Francesca Kastelanides, director and founder of Beam Academy, which provides accredited teacher courses, and yoga and mindfulness classes for children. 'Learning a new skill or retraining for a different career can only be positive, and although it will most likely be challenging at times, if your reason why is strong enough, you will always reap the benefits.'

She explains that the most important thing is to tap into your core motivation: 'When embarking on a new journey, ask yourself what you hope to gain, why you want to make this move, and what you expect to get out of it at the end.