Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted June 19, 2025

I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age.

They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion.

Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged and stimulated. I recommend them myself all the time!

But to truly keep your brain sharp as you age, you’ll need to do far more than that.

So, let’s cut through the hype and explore what actually works.

Many brain-boosting activities you read about everywhere—from learning a new language to taking up skydiving—might impress your friends at your next bridge game. However, when done in isolation, they likely aren’t doing much for your cognitive health.

So, let’s take a closer look at some things that will…

Start by moving your body more. Regular exercise isn’t just for your heart and waistline. It’s also one of the best things you can do for your brain.

When you get your blood pumping, you’re sending a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients straight to your brain cells.

But remember, you don’t need to become a marathon runner overnight. A simple daily walk around the neighborhood can work wonders.

Next, watch what’s on your plate. Processed foods may be convenient. However, they’re sabotaging your brain.

They’re often high in refined sugars and unhealthy fats, which can trigger inflammation throughout the body, including in the brain. This chronic inflammation is linked to cognitive decline and may increase the risk of conditions like depression and dementia.

Processed foods also tend to cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, which can impact concentration, mood, and mental clarity. Many processed foods are loaded with sodium—and excessive salt is associated with reduced blood flow to the brain.

Regularly indulging in highly processed foods is linked to poorer memory, reduced cognitive flexibility, and an increased risk of mood disorders. Instead, to protect your brain cells, reach for more foods rich in omega-3s (like fish), antioxidants (like berries), and healthy fats (like nuts).

Nurture your social connections. Spending time with friends and family isn’t just pleasant. It also gives your brain a workout.

Conversations require quick thinking, memory recall, and emotional processing—all great exercises for your gray matter. In fact, regular mental exercise helps maintain neural pathways and can even create new ones.

Social support is also a significant stress reliever. When you have people to talk to and rely on, it reduces cortisol levels and chronic stress, which can otherwise damage brain structures like the hippocampus, that are crucial for memory. Lower stress means better sleep and less inflammation, both vital for brain health.

Research shows that socially connected people have lower rates of cognitive decline and dementia. Loneliness, on the other hand, triggers stress responses and is linked to accelerated brain aging and increased dementia risk.

Focus on quality sleep. When you shortchange your sleep, you rob your brain of essential restoration time. Those memory problems you blame on age? They might be caused by poor sleep.

Your brain does some of its most crucial maintenance while you’re sleeping. During sleep, it activates a “cleaning system” called the glymphatic system, which flushes out toxic waste products that accumulate during the day, including the amyloid-beta plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.

Sleep is also when your brain consolidates memories, transferring important information from temporary storage to long-term memory. Without adequate sleep, you’ll struggle with forming new memories and recalling existing ones.

Finally, manage your stress levels. Chronic elevation of cortisol and other stress hormones can shrink the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for memory and learning. High cortisol levels also interfere with the formation of new neural connections and can actually kill brain cells.

Chronic stress keeps your brain in a constant state of “fight or flight,” impairing the prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for executive functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

Stress also triggers widespread inflammation throughout the body. This neuroinflammation is linked to depression, anxiety, and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. It can even disrupt the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter brain tissue.

The bottom line? Stop relying on fancy brain games and focus on the basics instead. Move your body, eat real food, connect with people, prioritize sleep, and keep your stress levels in check, and your brain will reap the rewards.

P.S. It’s time to take out the brain trash—and slash Alzheimer’s.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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