Scientists believe that 'change' and continuous learning can help keep a healthy brain and may increase your brainpower. Merely replaying well-learned skills that you have already mastered may not be enough; your brain requires challenges such as new skills, hobbies and activities.

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Ways to Keep your Brain Active

The old adage 'use it or lose it' seems to be true, so here is our list of suggested (though not scientifically proven) ways of keeping you brain active:

Next time you go shopping for a large number of items try and add up how much you have spent before the till tells you.

Learn salsa, tap or any other form of dancing where you need to memorise a routine - you may be surprised how difficult it is!

Commit to memory a verse of your favourite poetry each week - over the course of a year you will have an extensive repertoire to keep yourself or others amused.

Listen to the entire works of Mozart (it is supposed to improve spatial and mathematical ability).

Study for and resit an exam you failed as a child.

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