THE 14-DAY BRAIN REBOOT CHALLENGE

This year, why not resolve to THINK MORE CLEARLY, STAY SHARPER, AND REMEMBER MORE of your happiest times? With this plan, you'll feel better— and have fun!—as you protect your cognitive health going forward.

- BY LISA BAIN

When your computer has been on for days and you have too many tabs open, it slows down and you see the dreaded spinning wheel—that’s when you know it's time to shut the machine off, let it rest for a bit, and then restart.

Well, your brain needs the same thing. After all the chaos and excitement of the holidays, January is the perfect time to reboot your brain by paying attention to what makes it work at its peak and taking up some practices that will help it stay healthy as you age. Here are 14 research-based, doable, and (mostly) fun tips to get you going.

SHAKE THINGS UP

Do something entirely novel—whether it’s as minor as hiking in the woods instead of walking your usual lakeside circuit or going big by, say, heading to a non-English-speaking country for vacation and experiencing new-to-you traditions, foods, and culture. When we acquire information, the connections between neurons in the brain are strengthened; plus, research tells us that learning something new—from a niece's TikTok dance obsession to the basics of an unfamiliar language—improves memory and builds cognitive reserve, making you more agile at tackling problems and coming up with creative solutions. Having a stronger cognitive reserve has also been shown to help people ward off dementia symptoms in their later years.

GO NEXT-LEVEL

In addition to learning new skills, getting better at something you already love is a brainpower builder. Are you a casual pickleball player? Take a lesson or two to give you additional strategies for improving your game. Is knitting the way you unwind? Let a pro teach you a few tricky stitches or some crafty ideas. And if you love jigsaw puzzles, try a few 3D ones. Boosting your talents will challenge your brain, and that's good for its health as well as for your outlook.

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