13 hobbies that keep your brain from degrading

Here are the most interesting and useful hobbies for brain development. Choose one or more hobbies and dedicate at least half an hour a day to it!

Not only our body but also our brain is aging. Unfortunately, not everyone manages to keep their memory, clear mind and intelligence at an advanced age. Even in a healthy adult, there is a natural deterioration in cognitive function. However, neurophysiologists are sure - if you eat right, lead an active lifestyle and spend time on certain brain-developing activities, in old age you will be smarter than everyone else!

1. Meditation

Meditation helps to reduce stress, blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and improve the ability to concentrate. Just 10 minutes of complete relaxation will bring you a great mood and will help your brain to function better.

2. Gardening

Gardening is a surprisingly useful hobby for the brain. You:

reduce the level of cortisol - the stress hormone;

you charge yourself with positive energy;

you are proud of your achievements;

do physical work;

reduce the risk of dementia by 36%;

spend time outdoors.

3. Cooking

Studies show that people who cook at home lead a generally healthier life. In addition, these people have the opportunity to choose the healthiest foods and enjoy the cooking process, which is beneficial for the state of the brain.

4. Reading

Reading teaches the mind to focus, expands vocabulary, develops imagination, analytical skills, and makes the brain more active. In addition, reading is one of the best ways to cope with stress (the stress level is reduced by 69%).

5. Playing a musical instrument

Playing a musical instrument promotes cognitive development, improves coordination and fine motor skills. In both children and adults, playing a musical instrument increases the IQ level.

6. Chess game

During the game, both hemispheres of the brain develop, memory and strategic thinking improve.

7. The dance

Dancing is not only an excellent physical workout that reduces stress levels and increases serotonin levels. Dancing is a way to become smarter, because in order to memorize and reproduce different combinations of movements, you actively use different areas of the brain.

8. Team sports

By playing in a team, you get more benefits: mobility, new friends, and communication. The study shows that lack of communication has a negative impact on both the state of the brain and general health. Therefore, basketball, football, volleyball and other team sports will be a great way to spend time in a useful way.

9. Martial arts

In addition to the obvious advantage - the ability to defend yourself - martial arts perfectly develop the brain, increasing the ability to concentrate, maintaining balance and also the unity of mind and body.

10. Knitting

Experts say that knitting is a great way to deal with anxiety, depression and chronic pain. The benefits of handwork can be compared to the effect of meditation. Knitting activates the parasympathetic nervous system and dampens the "hit or run" reaction.

11. The letter

When you have a diary or notebook in which you write down all your thoughts, ideas, goals, etc. it helps you solve many problems and serves as a kind of sedative.

12. Language learning

Learning a foreign language will make you smarter. In addition, you can communicate with foreigners, knowing their culture. All this helps to reduce the risk of dementia.

13. Laughter

In addition to the above, an excellent medicine for the brain and the whole body is laughter, called active meditation.

Regardless of the hobby you choose, laughter will always be a great addition to any activity - it will help you relieve stress and relax.