It’s Never Too Late to Rewire Your Brain

You Know the Old Saying: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Well, scientists now know that’s not exactly true. For decades, scientists thought your brain stopped being flexible around childhood. We now know that neuroplasticity (your brain’s ability to rewire itself) is available to us throughout our lives. But it’s far from automatic, and you have to put in some effort, especially as you age.

The Benefits: When you challenge your brain in the right ways, you strengthen neural connections and build cognitive reserve, which helps protect against age-related decline. Research shows that adults who learn new skills show measurable increases in brain volume and connectivity. Exercise, in particular, boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that acts as a kind of fertilizer for your brain cells. 

How To Do It: Repeatedly engaging in tasks that stretch your abilities leads to changes in both brain activity and structure. Try something genuinely new, like learning a language or picking up an instrument. Get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly, and prioritize seven to nine hours of sleep, when your brain consolidates memories and clears waste.