Boost Your Brainpower: Why Learning New Things Matters at Every Age

If you're looking to support a healthy, active brain, regularly learning new things is one of the best habits you can build. Research shows that keeping your mind engaged, whether by trying a new hobby, taking up an instrument, or exploring music you've never heard before, can help sharpen focus, improve memory, and enhance problem-solving skills throughout life.

According to the Global Council on Brain Health, learning also supports emotional well-being. New activities like joining a book club or taking a cooking class can lead to social connection, which plays an important role in reducing feelings of loneliness and staying mentally and emotionally engaged.

The Center for BrainHealth encourages everyone to challenge their brains by discovering music that’s new to them, including genres that may have been popular with different generations. This idea has been tested with older adults using the SingFit app in a singing and song learning research study by Tufts University. Participants were split into three groups: one used SingFit to sing and learn songs, another just listened, and the last group did neither. Researchers found that SingFit is a valid tool that makes the research process much easier and less expensive than traditional music training studies and fits into a larger literature examining how singing can influence well-being across the life span. Participants even loved singing so much, many didn’t want to stop once testing ended!

What’s great is you don’t need to be a pro to get the benefits of music and learning. A fun and easy way to get started is to try singing a new song!

Singing is like sending your brain to the gym, it exercises language, coordination, and activates emotion while stimulating new neural connections all at once. It also fosters creativity, keeping your mind active and sharp.

For more tips, here’s the ABCs of simple brain-boosting habits:

A – Add a New Activity to Your Week

Try something you've never done before, like painting, a new board game, or even a different walking route.

B – Buddy Up!

Learning with others makes it more fun and helps build social connections that also benefit your brain.

C – Challenge Yourself Consistently

Whether it’s a crossword puzzle, a new recipe, or a favorite song with tricky lyrics, small challenges keep your brain engaged.