Chores Can Help Your Brain Stay Young

Even if you don’t engage in vigorous exercise as you grow older, don’t discount the benefit of everyday activities for physical and cognitive health. Making the bed, taking out the garbage and
sweeping the floor all add up, say University of Florida researchers.

And the more energy you expend on those daily chores other, the less likely you are to become cognitively impaired as you age, compared with older people who exert less energy, according to the study results published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Even if you can no longer pursue your favorite sport, you can move more throughout the day, which may stimulate parts of the brain involved in memory formation. So grab a vacuum cleaner—or just take a 5-minute dance break when your favorite song comes on the radio.