Challenging Your Brain Helps Keep It Healthy

Experts say a variety of hobbies and habits can provide a 'cognitive workout' to build knowledge and skills as we age.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Research shows that lifelong learning and intellectually stimulating activities like reading, learning a new language, playing chess, and visiting museums can help lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. Experts say it's not just one activity, but finding meaningful hobbies you're passionate about and sticking with them. Physical health is also critical to brain health, so regular exercise, controlling blood pressure, and getting vaccinated against shingles are also recommended.

Why it matters

As people age, maintaining cognitive function and staving off dementia becomes an increasing concern. This research provides insights into lifestyle habits and hobbies that can help build 'cognitive reserve' and make the brain more resilient to the effects of aging and disease.

The details

The study led by neuropsychologist Andrea Zammit of Rush University Medical Center tracked nearly 2,000 older adults over 8 years. It found that those with the highest levels of lifelong learning were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 5 years later than those with the least amount of cognitive stimulation. Autopsies also showed that even when brains harbored Alzheimer's hallmarks, the more cognitively 'enriched' people had better memory and thinking skills before death. This suggests that learning strengthened neural connections, helping the brain be more resilient.

  • The study enrolled participants ranging from age 53 to 100 and tracked them for 8 years.
  • Participants were quizzed about their educational and cognitively stimulating activities in youth, middle age, and older age.

The players

Andrea Zammit

A neuropsychologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago who led the study on lifelong learning and cognitive decline.

Ronald Petersen

An Alzheimer's specialist at the Mayo Clinic who cautions that while lifestyle changes can't prevent dementia, they can 'slow down the arc of deterioration'.

Jessica Langbaum

Of the Banner Alzheimer's Institute, who advises choosing activities that help you 'think on your feet' like joining a book club.

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What they’re saying

“They kind of like stretch your brain and your thinking. You're using your different cognitive systems.”

— Andrea Zammit, Neuropsychologist

“It's not just one activity. It's more about finding meaningful activities that you might be passionate about.”

— Andrea Zammit, Neuropsychologist

“There's no magic recipe to prevent either dementia or the normal cognitive decline of aging, but lifestyle changes offer a chance to 'slow down the arc of deterioration'.”

— Ronald Petersen, Alzheimer's Specialist

The takeaway

This research highlights the importance of lifelong learning and intellectually stimulating hobbies in maintaining cognitive function and reducing dementia risk as we age. By 'stretching' the brain through a variety of meaningful activities, people can build 'cognitive reserve' to help the brain be more resilient to the effects of aging and disease.