Mental Calisthenics

Keeping your mind active and engaged is a key component of health, happiness, and longevity. How do you like your mental challenges? Do you read a lot, watch documentaries, play brain-stimulating games or enjoy mind-bending puzzles? Whether you prefer math, crosswords, chess, or mapping out video game strategy, September is the perfect time to hone your skills and learn new facts.

Habit:
Learn a new fact
Teach a new fact

Daily:
Play a brain-building game
Read or watch non-fiction for 10 minutes

To Do:
Finish one book in a non-fiction subject of interest
Play a challenging game or finish a difficult puzzle

Reflection:

The September challenge was something of a mix for me. I read constantly, and it was nice to turn my attention to nonfiction for a while, though that is something I intermittently do on my own. Playing a game daily wasn’t a problem, as any of the five or six people who routinely play Words With Friends against me can confirm. But I did try to find a new game to play, and didn’t have much luck. It’s hard to find something that doesn’t add too much of a burden to my daily routine (things like holding cards or clicking things on the computer are tough on my arthritis). Overall, though, I had a fun time and watched some interesting TED talks and science videos, too. (NOVA and Cosmos are both big hits with my daughter, so that’s rarely a problem!)