A perfect day in the life of your brain

7 a.m. Brush

Use your other hand. Developing fresh pathways in the brain can be as simple as putting your toothbrush or hairbrush in your non-dominant hand. Suddenly these everyday tasks challenge your concentration and coordination.

8 a.m. Do

Perform some downward dogs. Activities that soothe stress and lower cortisol levels reduce cell dysfunction and atrophy of the brain. A weekly yoga practice is a great addition to your fitness regimen — and doing it first thing clears your mind to take on the rest of the day.

10 a.m. Switch

Move your watch to the other wrist. Modifying this unconscious activity requires more brain power than you think. Don’t believe us? Just try it for a day!

12 p.m. Play

Do Sudoku at lunch. Word and number games that require creative thinking will get your neurons firing. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found brain exercises helped people maintain improvements in reasoning and processing skills.

2 p.m. Schedule

Plan a dinner date. Studies show an active social life is key for maintaining cognition as we age. Text, email and call, but most importantly make room in your schedule for face-to-face time with your friends.

4 p.m. Sip

Have a cup of Earl Grey tea. It contains L-theanine, a compound that improves brain function and mood. If you’re not a fan of this blend, all black and green teas are good sources.

5 p.m. Drive

Pick a different route. Something as simple as taking an alternative way home from work teases your brain and helps you develop new pathways. If your route is set thanks to public transit, try walking your dog in a new area or even just on the other side of the street — anything that gives your brain pause is the little extra challenge it needs.

6 p.m. Dance

Whether it’s a barre workout or tango lessons, the cardio coupled with the mental challenge of remembering all the moves will give your brain double the workout.

7 p.m. Add avocado

Whip up some guacamole or slice avocado onto your salad — it’s loaded with folate (which can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s) as well as vitamin E, which studies show may slow the development of dementia.

8 p.m. Learn

Speak Italian or Spanish, pronto! Download a language app and brush up for your someday dream vacation. Learning a new language can help you bank up to seven extra years of memory function.

10 p.m. Sleep

Just one night of sleep deprivation can result in a loss of brain tissue, says a new Swedish study. Aim for seven to eight hours a night. (If you pass out in five minutes, it’s a sign you’re sleep deprived!)

Click here for more on the health benefits of sleep.