Getting older doesn’t have to mean getting slower—at least, not mentally.

I’ve met people well into their 70s and 80s who could quote books, remember birthdays, challenge you to a chess game, and hold a thoughtful conversation on just about any topic. And then I’ve seen others lose their mental edge far too early, not because of genetics, but because of how they treated their brains.

I’m no know-it-all, but one thing I’ve learned is that keeping your mind sharp isn’t about doing crossword puzzles alone. It’s about how you live—what you feed your brain, how you challenge it, and yes, what you stop doing that dulls it down.

Let’s get into some of the common behaviors that sneak up on us as we age—and slowly chip away at that mental sharpness we all want to keep.

1. Watching mindless TV for hours every day

Now don’t get me wrong—I love a good old Western or a classic movie night. But when hours and hours go by every day with the remote in your hand and your brain on autopilot, that’s a problem.

The brain is like a muscle. It doesn’t stay strong by being idle.

I had a stretch in early retirement where I’d flip on the TV mid-morning just to pass the time. By afternoon, I felt foggy. It wasn’t until I swapped one of those hours for reading that I noticed how much sharper and more focused I felt.

Entertainment is fine. But make sure your brain is doing something active every day, too.

2. Avoiding new experiences

The older we get, the more tempting it is to just stick with what we know. Same restaurants. Same conversations. Same routines.

But novelty is one of the best ways to stimulate the brain.

Learning a new skill, taking a different route on your walk, listening to music outside your usual genre—it all forces your mind to stay awake.

A friend of mine took up watercolor painting in his seventies. He wasn’t very good at first, but he told me, “It’s not about the painting. It’s about waking something up.”

And that’s the magic right there.

3. Relying on “I’m too old for that” as an excuse

This one is a mindset killer.

If you keep telling yourself you’re too old to learn, explore, or adapt, your brain believes you.

Growth doesn’t stop at a certain age. I’ve met folks in their eighties who are more curious and engaged than some people in their thirties.

I once sat next to a man on a plane who was teaching himself how to code—for fun. He was 74. Said he just wanted to understand how apps worked. That kind of curiosity? That’s what keeps the mind young.

4. Isolating yourself

Loneliness isn’t just sad—it’s mentally corrosive.

Social interaction challenges your brain. Conversations require memory, attention, empathy, and flexibility.

When you go days without meaningful interaction, your brain starts to atrophy in ways that aren’t always obvious at first.

During the early days of the pandemic, I went nearly two weeks without seeing anyone face-to-face outside my household. I could feel myself slipping into a fog. I started calling old friends more often just to talk, even for five minutes. It helped more than I expected.

5. Always sticking to your point of view

If your favorite hobby is arguing—but never learning—your brain’s not growing.

Strong opinions are fine. But when you’re unwilling to hear new ideas or change your mind, you miss out on cognitive flexibility. And that flexibility is key to long-term sharpness.

I’ve mentioned this before, but I once got into a friendly debate with my grandson about AI. I didn’t agree with half of what he said—but listening to him helped me think in new ways.

You don’t have to agree to benefit. You just have to listen.

6. Neglecting physical activity

This one’s more connected to brain health than most people think.

Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, helps clear out mental cobwebs, and boosts memory and learning.

Even walking 20–30 minutes a day can make a big difference.

I walk my dog Lottie twice a day. Not just for her, but for me. Some of my clearest thinking happens on those walks.

You don’t need a gym membership. Just keep your body moving.

7. Skipping sleep

I know, I know—sometimes the body just won’t cooperate at night.

But if you regularly cut your sleep short or treat it like a luxury instead of a necessity, you’re robbing your brain of its best opportunity to reset.

Sleep clears out toxins in the brain, helps you store memories, and restores focus.

When I started prioritizing a full seven hours a night—no screens before bed, regular routine—I found myself remembering names, appointments, and even old song lyrics much more easily.

8. Multitasking all the time

Doing a million things at once doesn’t make you efficient—it makes your brain scattered.

Strong minds know how to focus.

If you’re constantly flipping between tabs, tasks, and thoughts, you’re training your brain to be distracted.

Start single-tasking again. Whether it’s reading, cooking, or having a conversation—give it your full attention. Your memory, focus, and mental stamina will thank you.

9. Ignoring emotional clutter

Stress, anxiety, and unresolved emotions quietly weigh down your mind.

When you don’t deal with them, they become background noise that drains your focus and energy.

I’m still learning this myself, but journaling, talking to someone, or even just naming what you’re feeling helps clear that clutter.

A friend of mine—a retired teacher—calls it “dusting out the attic.”

Wise words.

10. Saying “It’s too late”

This one hits hardest.

If you keep telling yourself it’s too late to read new books, start new hobbies, build new friendships, or explore new ideas—you’re prematurely aging your brain.

There is no expiration date on mental engagement.

I know a woman who learned how to play the ukulele at 83. Said it made her feel 20 years younger. Not because of the instrument—but because of the challenge.

Growth isn’t reserved for the young. It’s reserved for the willing.

Final thoughts

A sharp mind doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s shaped by what you say no to—and what you say yes to instead.

So here’s a question: Which of these behaviors are quietly dulling your mental edge—and what small shift could sharpen it again?

Because staying sharp isn’t about staying young. It’s about staying engaged. And that’s something we can all do, one choice at a time.