9 Simple Daily Tasks That Will Sharpen Your Memory and Boost Your Brain Health

Best HealthUpdated: May 10, 2016

Incorporate these simple tasks into your daily life for improved concentration and a healthier brain

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6 a.m. Brush with your opposite hand

Developing new brain networks can be as simple as putting your toothbrush or hairbrush in your non-dominant hand. Why? It challenges your coordination and concentration.

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8 a.m. Do some downward dogs

Morning sun salutations increase brain function. A 20-minute hatha yoga session is all it takes to improve focus and information retention.

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10 a.m. Put your watch on the other wrist

Modifying this unconscious activity requires more brain power than you think. It sounds so simple, but just try it.

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12 p.m. Do a crossword over lunch

Simple word searches and puzzles are an easy way to exercise your mind and keep your brain healthy. Try our daily Sudoku puzzle to keep your mind sharp.

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2 p.m. Take a coffee break

A jolt of java can boost long-term memory. Studies show that people who consume 200 milligrams of caffeine (think a Starbucks cappuccino) right after learning something new have improved recall when their memory is tested the next day.

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4 p.m. Practise your French

Download an app and spend your commute brushing up on foreign phrases. People who are bilingual are better at preserving memory, problem solving, planning and other brain functions as they age.

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6 p.m. Make salmon for supper

Older adults who eat seafood (at least two servings a week) have less Alzheimer’s-related damage in their brains.

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8 p.m. Do your homework

Whether it’s a cooking class or a philosophy lecture, learning something new expands your mind in more ways than one. Research shows that adults who took a college course increased their cognitive capacity and reduced their risk of dementia.