It’s no secret that your brain changes as you age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), normal aging means slower processing speeds and difficulty multitasking. You might find yourself forgetting where you put your keys or the name of someone you just met on a walk. Everyone might have “senior moments,” but studies have shown that finding new ways to learn every day can help prevent cognitive decline.
According to the CDC, more than 16 million Americans are living with cognitive impairment and age is the greatest risk factor. Adding healthy brain foods to your diet can assist in brain health, but continuing to learn each day can help keep your brain sharp.
A higher level of education has been associated with better mental functioning in old age, according to Harvard Health. Experts believe that advanced education can keep memory strong because it helps establish a habit of being mentally active. That doesn’t mean you have to go to an Ivy League institution. Mental exercises, like learning, are believed to activate processes that maintain individual brain cells and spur communication among them, according to Harvard Health.