LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY: 5 Daily Habits for a Smarter, Healthier Brain

We all know the basics of staying healthy—eat well, move your body, and get enough sleep. But what about your brain? That incredible, complex organ that keeps you thinking, feeling, and remembering all the important (and, let’s be honest, some totally useless) details of life?

The truth is, just like our muscles, our minds thrive on exercise to stay sharp, strong, and resilient. And the best way to do that? Keep learning.

But don’t worry—I’m not suggesting you go back to school or memorize Shakespearean sonnets (unless that’s your thing—go for it!). Instead, I have a simple daily brain workout that anyone can do in just a few minutes a day. 

By simply remembering to L.E.A.R.N., you can challenge your mind daily with small, intentional habits. Consider each step below as a different “workout” for your brain—some days, you’ll go deep, and others, you’ll take a lighter approach. 

The best part? You get to customize it to fit your schedule and interests!

The L.E.A.R.N. Method: 5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp

L – Listen to Something New

Maybe a new educational podcast on a topic you know nothing about, a different music genre, a TED Talk, or even a news source outside your usual preference. Who knows what you’ve been missing?

💡 Try This: Listen to a TED Talk while making breakfast or queue up a science podcast while driving.

E – Expand on What You Know

Take something you’re already interested in and go deeper. Maybe you love cooking—why not learn about the history of spices? If you enjoy gardening, research how soil health impacts nutrition.

💡 Try This: Pick a topic you’re passionate about and find an article, book, or YouTube video that takes you to the next level.

A – Ask & Answer a Burning Question

You know that random question that’s been floating around in your head forever? (Like, why do flamingos stand on one leg? Or, is coffee really dehydrating? Or, how does Wi-Fi actually work?) Take a few minutes to finally look it up.

💡 Try This: Keep a “Curiosity List” in your phone and challenge yourself to research one question a day.

R – Remember and Reflect

Our memories are like muscles—if we don’t use them, they fade. Take a moment to recall a past event in vivid detail. Where were you? What did it smell like? What were you wearing? How did you feel? This practice strengthens neural connections and keeps your recall sharp.

💡 Try This: Journal about a happy memory from your childhood and see how many details you can bring back.

N – New Skill, New You!

Start learning something fresh and exciting! Whether it’s a new language, painting, knitting, playing an instrument, or even testing out a new recipe – engaging in new skills helps form new neural pathways.

💡 Try This: Set a goal to try something new every month, whether it’s a hobby, workout, or skill.

Want a simple Habit Tacker to help you stay on track? Download our Five to Flourish Guide Now! 👇👇

Bonus: Brain-Boosting Games & Challenges

Want to take things up a notch? These brain games improve memory, coordination, and cognitive flexibility—and they’re actually fun!

1️⃣ Fingers to Thumb Challenge – Hold your hands in front of you and quickly touch each finger to your thumb, one at a time, back and forth. Try increasing speed or doing it with both hands simultaneously!

2️⃣ Single-Leg Balance with Countdown – Stand on one foot and count backward from 100 by 3s. This works both your balance and cognitive processing (and makes you realize how tricky simple math can be!).

3️⃣ Opposite Hand Writing/Doodling – Try writing your name or drawing simple shapes using your non-dominant hand. Bonus points if you attempt cursive!

4️⃣ Word Association Game – Pick a word and come up with as many related words as possible within 30 seconds. Example: “Ocean” → waves, blue, fish, salt, surfboard, deep, adventure…

5️⃣ Clap & Count – Clap your hands in a rhythmic pattern while counting aloud. Start slow, then try to speed up! For an extra challenge, switch to skipping numbers (e.g., counting by 2s or 5s).

6️⃣ Mirror Movements – Stand in front of a mirror and move one hand in a circle while the other moves up and down. Can you do both at the same time without messing up?

7️⃣ Backwards Alphabet Challenge – Recite the alphabet backwards as fast as you can. Sounds simple… until you try it!

Final Thoughts

As we age, our brains naturally lose some of their flexibility—unless we challenge them. Studies show that engaging in lifelong learning improves memory, reduces the risk of cognitive decline, and even boosts happiness.

The best part? Learning doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. Keep your brain engaged, challenge yourself daily, and make learning fun! Whether you try one L.E.A.R.N. step a day or tackle a brain-boosting game, these small actions add up to a sharper, healthier, and more vibrant mind over time.

Now tell me—what’s one new thing you’re going to learn today? Drop a comment and let’s inspire each other!