Neurogenesis is the process by which the brain generates new neurons and new connections
It happens that as we get old, the neurogenesis process in our brains decreases. This affects our life by making us more difficult to learn new things (and by hence, change our opinions or views of the world).
The reason why neurogenesis decreases with age has two sides: first, neurogenesis decreases due to several physiological issues (motivated by genes) with age. Second, not making use of the neurogenesis (by learning or doing new things) atrophies neurogenesis.
You can do little to avoid the first reason: you should have a healthy life. Doing sport and eating properly can minimise the effect of genes in neurogenesis. However, the effect on that is very small.
You can however, work on the atrophy of neurogenesis and have a high impact on it by performing new things. This could be as simple as going to work along a different path, or having a different drink at the bar, or changing your weekend
However, you can do the best impact in your neurogenesis by learning new things. If you don’t know what to learn, below, you will find a list of challenging tasks that you can learn and maintain your neurogenesis alive.
Look through the list, and choose something that suits you. And when you have mastered it, come back here and pick another thing.
Learning new things, from now on, should be a constant in your life!
Learn New Languages
How to learn Japanese How to become fluent in three months How to learn Esperanto How to learn Sanskrit
Learn to play an instrument
Learn to play guitar Learn to play violin Learn to play piano Learn to do electronic music
Learn an artistic skill
How to take pictures How to paint small metal figures How to write a book How to shoot a movie
Learn about computers
Learn how to program a computer Learn how to create apps for mobiles How to create podcasts How to create a successful blog
Learn a new sport
Learn martial arts Learn body building How to do rock climbing Learn Yoga
Study a different career
Learn any of the subjects at the open universities of Udacity Learn any of the subjects at the open universities of Coursera Learn any subject from the MIT Open University Learn any subject through iTunesUniversity
Learn a dancing style
Learn Indian Classic Dance Learn Lambada Dance Learn Break Dance Learn Tango
Learn social skills
How to do public speaking How to debate How to do networking Learn about Neuro Linguistic Programming
Learn to play a new table game
Learn to play chess Learn to play Go Learn to play complex table games Learn to play Scrabble in a different language
Prepare for a mental competition
Prepare for the Speed Memory World Championship Prepare for the World Memory Championship Prepare for a Calculus World Championship Prepare for a Speed Reading World Championship