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Intellectual

maintaining an active mind by exploring interests, expanding knowledge, skills, and creativity

Why is it important?

More frequent cognitive activity predicts reduced cognitive decline.4

A wide spectrum of arts/creative activities can have mental health benefits.5

Information and Resources

Brain-training games are a good way to challenge yourself mentally.

Crosswords, Sudoku, chess, game apps, etc. are other ways to keep an active mind while taking a break from studying.

Become more well-read and expand your mind by listening to audiobooks.

Digitally access resources from your local library.

E-readers allow you to store all your favorite books in one place.

Find affordable books to read in your downtime.

Learn how to become a life-long learner.

Try something new at a reasonable price.

Recommendations

  • Learn at least one new thing every day. It could be related to medicine or something entirely different.
  • Try a creative/intellectual activity during a study break.
  • Subscribe to scientific journals/professional organizations (JAMA, NEJM, Epocrates, ISMA, etc.) on email or social media.
  • What are some ways in your life that you have the opportunity to be creative? What are new hobbies that you could try?
  • Art (draw, paint, coloring books, photoshop, photography …)
  • Music (listening, playing an instrument, singing, …)
  • Writing (blogs, poetry, journals, stories, calligraphy, …)
  • Food (cooking, baking, wine tasting, making beer, …)
  • Building (crafts, woodworking, crocheting, …)
  • Media (films, documentaries, reading …)
  • Learning a Language
  • Nature (hiking, gardening, birdwatching, geocaching …)
  • Physical (dancing, running, cycling, sports, …)
  • Intellectual (chess, crosswords, sudoku, …)