Keep Your Brain Young

By Kathleen Parrish

Slide 1 of 9

Power of the Mind

Yaakov Stern, a neuropsychology professor at Columbia University in New York, followed 1,800 adults for seven years and found that the more social outings and hobbies they pursued -- such as playing cards, attending lectures, or gardening -- the lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, one of the most devastating forms of cognitive decline. "All of these things provide a certain amount of stimulation to the brain, which strengthens mechanisms and helps with problem-solving," he says. Use the following suggestions for staying mentally fit.