Hobbies that Make You Smarter

4. Play Games and Puzzles

In addition to being fun, research suggests playing games and working puzzles keeps your mind sharp. From Scrabble to canasta to crossword puzzles, games can help you better recall information, solve problems more quickly, and learn new vocabulary. Games have the capacity, when played over several months or years, to rewire the brain, sharpening cognitive skills and improving memory. Experts have long known the benefit of games for senior citizens and those in rehabilitation, but designers are now creating games to help average people develop mental skills and retain skills they might otherwise lose. If your memory isn’t great, if you feel you miss connections between competing bits of information, or if you need a little help learning to multitask, consider reviving family game nights to help you over the hump.