Who says education has to stop after high school or college? Keep your mind sharp by learning new skills and expanding your knowledge with free online college courses offered by the Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University, University of California-Berkley and other top universities at edX.
At edX, you’ll find a wide variety of free, self-paced online courses on business, art, history, literature and more. EdX also offers online instructor-led courses for a fee. Many community colleges and universities offer free classes to older adults that you can audit without completing course work or receiving credits. Even though you won’t earn credit for the classes, you’ll expand your knowledge.
If you prefer more bite-size learning opportunities, take a tour at local museums or add a museum tour at a vacation destination. You’ll also find educational lectures, classes and workshops at public libraries and local community centers. Try answering free online trivia questions such as these quizzes at Britannica or Extra Mile brain teasers to help keep your mind sharp.
Adults need 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night to allow the brain and other vital organs, cells, tissues and muscles to restore and recharge. A lack of quality sleep may hasten cognitive decline. It also raises the risk of diabetes, depression and heart disease.
Staying connected with a social network and activities keeps your brain busy. Socializing also reduces social isolation, a risk factor for cognitive decline. To broaden your social network, join a walking group, book club, church or a group or class based on a hobby you enjoy.
When you work out, walk or even do chores around the house, the physical activity can improve your memory and help you think more clearly.
Volunteering is also one of the best ways to form new social connections and add purpose to your life. A 2023 study found that volunteering later in life may also improve recollection of past events and working memory. Study participants who volunteered scored high in executive function – the ability to plan, make decisions and control emotions.
A new hobby can provide both fun and a brain boost. A 2023 study found that people aged 65 and older who engaged in a hobby were more likely to enjoy better mental health and a greater sense of well-being.
High blood pressure is associated with a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. You can help manage your blood pressure levels with exercise, a balanced diet and other lifestyle factors, like quitting smoking. If you have high blood pressure or high blood pressure runs in your family, your primary care physician or another health care provider can prescribe a medication to lower your levels.
