Training Brain Repository Exercise Design Tool

Your brain's fitness depends on how much it is used. Every time you do something new or different, you create new neural pathways. These simple tricks will help give your brain a workout.

Use Your Opposite Hand

Close-up of older man's hands with a small teacup — Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images

Spend the day doing things with your non-dominant hand. If you are left-handed, open doors with your right hand. If you are right-handed, try using your keys with your left. This simple task will cause your brain to lay down some new pathways and rethink daily tasks. Wear your watch on the opposite hand to remind you to switch.

Only Use Lists as Backup

Woman with a shopping list in the produce aisle — ColorBlind / Getty Images

Lists are great, but we can become too reliant on them. Make your grocery list, but then try to shop without it. Use the list once you have put every item you can think of in your cart. Do the same with your "to do" lists.

Learn Phone Numbers

Woman looking at a phone number and typing it into her cell phone — Image Source / Getty Images

Our modern phones remember every number that calls them. No one memorizes phone numbers anymore, but it is a great memory skill. Learn a new phone number every day.

Prepare One Story Every Day

Old and young man talking over coffee — Portra Images / Getty Images

Each morning think up one story that you will have ready to tell people. The story can be about something recent or from your past. Try to figure out the most entertaining way to tell the story. If someone calls or stops by, you will have something to talk with them about. It will make you more interesting while exercising your memory.

Observation Games

Senior person sitting on a park bench — Uwe Umstaetter / Getty Images

Each day pick a specific thing to observe. You may decide to pay attention to what people are wearing one day. Everywhere you go, and on TV, note how people dress and think about why certain people dress the way they do. Give your brain something to think about. The next day, choose something else to observe.

Go a Different Way

Senior man and woman walking down a path in the park — vm / Getty images

Drive or walk a different way to wherever you go.

A little change in routine helps the brain practice spacial memory and directions.

Try different side streets, go through stores in a different order—anything to change your route.

Break the Routine

Two women having coffee at an outdoor cafe — Arnold Media / Getty Images

Do something in a different order. Eat breakfast for dinner. Do your errands first thing in the morning. Drink coffee in the afternoon. Do your daily tasks in a new order. Notice how the change feels and what is good or bad about the new order.

Solve a Problem

Thoughtful senior woman in home office looking out the window — Hero Images / Getty Images

Pretend you are starting a business and think about how you would solve a problem. What would you sell and to whom would you sell it? Who are your competitors and how would you beat them? Give your brain something to chew on. The next day, pretend you are starting an organization to fight hunger—what new ideas can you come up with? Have fun with problem-solving to make new connections in the brain.

Make Lists

Man getting ready to write on a blank notebook page — PhotoAlto / Odilon Dimier / Getty Images

Lists are wonderful. Making lists helps us to associate items with one another. Make a list of all the places you have traveled to. Make a list of the most disgusting foods you have eaten. Make a list of the best presents you have been given. Make one list every day to jog your memory and make new connections.

Read a Book

Senior man sitting in a recliner reading a book — DreamPictures / Getty Images

Pick a book on an entirely new subject. Read a novel set in India. Learn about economics. There are many excellent popular non-fiction books that do a great job entertaining you while teaching about a subject. Become an expert in something new each week.