30 New ‘Today I Learned’ Facts That Prove It’s Never Too Late To Learn

Mark Twain famously said that "truth is stranger than fiction", and this subreddit seems to support that claim. Learning interesting facts is more than pure entertainment, though. Acquiring knowledge is actually like exercise for our brains. According to Health Navigator, keeping our brains active can "improve cognitive functions such as concentration, attention to detail, memory recall and problem solving", as well as reduce risk of dementia.

Harvard Health Publishing even has an article titled "Train Your Brain" encouraging readers to take up a new hobby or practice a challenging activity to keep their brains in good shape. "Eventually, your cognitive skills will wane and thinking and memory will be more challenging, so you need to build up your reserve," says Dr. John N. Morris of the Institute for Aging Research. "Embracing a new activity that also forces you to think and learn and requires ongoing practice can be one of the best ways to keep the brain healthy."

Even physical activities can help improve our cognitive abilities when combined with mental requirements. Many sports have complex rules to keep in mind and are more than simple physical exercises. Swimming, for example, is obviously a full-body workout, but it also requires mental stamina as well. Swimmers must stay mindful of their breathing techniques, stroke execution, kicks, speed and more. But if you don't consider yourself an athlete, have no fear. Creative outlets such as painting, sculpting, writing and learning a new language are also excellent ways to keep your brain active.

Dr. Morris states that the task itself is not as important as the commitment to it. He lists three rules of thumb to keep in mind when choosing a brain-enhancing activity. The first rule is that it must be challenging. But not everyone is required to reinvent the wheel. Dr. Morris mentions the possibility of delving deeper into an existing skill. "You don't have the challenge of learning something new," he says. "But rather the challenge of increasing your skill set and knowledge."

The next rule Dr. Morris states is that whatever task is chosen must be complex. "A complex activity not only strikes a match of excitement, but forces your brain to work on specific thought processes like problem solving and creative thinking." Don't choose anything that allows you to go on auto-pilot. Lastly, he shares a rule many of us are familiar with: practice makes perfect. "You can't improve memory if you don't work at it," says Dr. Morris. "The more time you devote to engaging your brain, the more it benefits."

While you're reading this list, remember that you're doing something good for your brain. (Perhaps this time even counts as a workout!) Don't forget to upvote your favorite interesting facts, and let us know in the comments something you recently learned!