In a recent interview, Dr. Stephen Brewer, medical director at the Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, suggested that it’s important to find ways to stimulate your senses as a way to keep your brain active. Among other things, he suggested that you:
- Turn pictures in your house upside down; this will cause your brain to react and start mentally trying to put them the right way around again.
- Try dressing with your eyes closed.
- Leave cooked vanilla beans next to your bed to engage your sense of smell when you get up in the morning.
- Switch hands when brushing your hair or teeth from the one you usually use.
- Talk to yourself; one study suggested that this can improve your memory.