BRAIN FOOD: WHY NEW ACTIVITIES ARE GOOD FOR YOU AND A FEW TO TRY

As we age, life gets busy. Marriage, children, work, and life are complicated and often all-consuming, but that’s no excuse to say we would try new things or explore our creativity outside of everyday life if only we had the time. According to science and research, trying new things is good for you.

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Feed your soul
We all have responsibilities, and a lot in our everyday lives is non-negotiable. That said, what you do in your downtime falls to you, where you get the opportunity to nourish and power up your brain.

Making space for yourself and being a little selfish to explore old or new passions that make your heart sing will also positively affect your mood and give you the mental and physical energy to tackle more.

Related article: How to keep your brain fit as you age

Get involved
Because work is mandatory for most of us, if we’re to feed our families and fuel our cars, finding a hobby and embracing it promises only good things. Being playful and creative is anything but frivolous fun; it’s a gateway to a healthier, more fulfilled you.

Here are just ten very positive outcomes for you and those that matter most in your world:

1. Hobbies are a great stress reliever.

2. Whether a sport or learning a new language, every hobby encourages you to take a break from your nine-to-five.

3. Doing something new that might terrify you initially will offer new challenges and experiences and help grow your world as you explore yourself and your talents.

4. Your hobby might improve your career prospects by helping you learn how to handle work-life stress and think creatively.

5. Your downtime might just be able to earn you some extra income. Whether you’re building, baking, or dabbling in garden landscaping, your friends and neighbours might just reach out and pay you for your newfound skills.

Related article: Expert tips to slow down the effects of aging



6. When you enjoy honing your craft or taking a long run to de-stress, you’re not wasting time and giving in to bad habits like gambling, drinking, or watching a wall of mindless videos on YouTube.

7. Getting out of your comfort zone helps build character by improving self-confidence and self-esteem.

8. You don’t only need to learn mentally intensive hobbies like computer coding to get brain fit (but go for it if you’re up for the challenge). Crafts such as beading can help improve your memory too. Purposeful activities have the power to focus your brain, a lot like when you practice yoga. Spending time focusing also helps beat depression while protecting your brain from age-related memory loss.

9. Having a downtime side hustle can also strengthen your relationships as you can invite your kids or partner to join you? By including them, you’re spending quality time with your precious tribe.

10.There is nothing more rewarding than paying it forward by helping other people. Whether you donate the things made, walk dogs at your local shelter, play your latest learned songs to friends and family, or cook up a storm at a soup kitchen, you’ll leave richer for contributing.

Whatever it is that you settle on, your brain, your body and your mind will reward you repeatedly.

Related article: 10 tips to kick-start your health plan