You told us

In our November issue, we asked what you do to keep your mind sharp. Here's what some of you had to say.

• I will do crossword puzzles - not the most challenging ones, but I just want to jog my brain to come up with answers ASAP - Connie G, Covington
  
  
• I do Sodoku puzzles and Spider solitaire. If I haven't completed a Sodoku puzzle in a while, I can tell that I'm not as sharp mentally - Heidi B, Waukesha
  
  
• I enjoy playing Sudoku puzzles - I've actually advanced to 'medium' difficulty - Debbie B, San Antonio
  
  
• I have been learning Spanish and how to play the guitar. Eventually I'd like to try to tackle Chinese and get a keyboard - S. Sands, Frankfort
  
  
• Crossword puzzles, Shari D, Green Bay
  
  
• Sudoku, studying math again, Lumosity brain games - Rebecca M, Chicago
  
  
• Crossword Puzzles, internet memory games - Christine T, Austin, TX
  
  
• I take every test and quiz I find on the Internet. I have bought math, foreign language, and science CD's to study on the computer. I use my left hand to write and play games (I'm right handed). I use my GPS to find "treasures" - John W, North Salt Lake
  
  
• I do a monthly/weekly calendar and follow it daily. I also enjoy puzzles and finding names within games - Patricia H, Calumet Park
  
  
• I read, enjoy puzzles, play piano and organ. I also work in the yard and try to take the dog on a brisk walk several times a week. And I work full time in a job that requires memory skills. Judy W, Kansas City
  
  
• I work the word jumble in the daily paper and read books to understand the brain - Julee G, Louisville
  
  
• I do the daily sudoku in the paper and I play brain-age on my daughter's Nintendo DS. Christin G, Louisville
  
  
• Crossword puzzles (in ink); computer word games, Jerri B, Mt. Washington
  
  
• I play Nintendo DS Brain/Memory Games to keep my memory sharp. The games stimulate my mind, and challenge me to think quickly in order to achieve a higher score - Lisa D, New Ellenton, SC
  
  
• I play two games of Mahjong on the computer and two games of Spider Solitare each day - Sally S, Kenosha
  
  
• I play water volleyball two or three times a week. I recall the names of all the players on both sides. I work two-, three-, or four-star sudoku, also the numbers puzzles. The ultimate is the "word game" - Rod F, New Orleans
  
  
• Try not to use the calculator. 2. I take group cardio dance classes at the local Gold's Gym and I am forced to memorize the steps to follow the instructor. Also they change the choreography every three weeks so my brain is constantly stimulated and challenged. 3. Play brain games. 4. Meditation also helps with focusing on the current task. 5. Memorize phone numbers - Khin S, Austin
  
  
• To keep my memory sharp, I downloaded this program on my iPhone called Brain Toot Lite. It several categories: Think, Vision, Memory, and Compute. This is a great application and really stimulates the brain. braintoottraining.com - Renea M, Lewisville
  
  
• I play games, i.e.: Sudoku, Crosswords, Fantastic Contraptions (on-line),FreeCell, MineSweeper - Pat M., Neenah, WI
  
  

Some of you replied, but didn't provide your name. Still, your advice was too good to leave out.

• Reading books and newspapers - Sudoku - crossword puzzles - accepting new responsibilities at work - learning new computer skills and programs - finding information about things that surface in my work/personal interactions that I'm unfamiliar with - I mainly watch TV shows that educate as well as entertain me - listen to one of Louisville's three public radio stations almost exclusively (talk, classical, and eclectic programming) - eating well and staying physically active - having good friends and a stimulating social life - my husband and I still being best friends after 23 years of marriage
  
  
• I play games at www.gamesforthebrain.com and also practice these tips I got from that Website:
  
  Brain tip: Start Writing! Putting thoughts into words boosts your brain power. Diaries, idea-journals, poetry, note-taking, story-writing, letters, websites and blogs - they're all great.
  
  Brain tip: Do a crossword puzzle! Crossword puzzles train your brain to think critically. They also help you to get better at recalling information that's already inside your brain.
  
  Brain tip: Use your sense of touch! When you are killing time waiting for a bus, distinguish coins using only your sense of touch. For a real challenge, try to distinguish paper currency by touch.
  
  
• Playing trivia games and logic puzzles
  
  
• LA Times crossword, writing, memorizing my grocery list (up to eight or nine items) by alphabetizing the contents and then reviewing the remaining list as I eliminate items
  
  
• Daily crossword puzzles!
  
  
• I work crossword puzzles and I try to do as much math in my head as possible.
  
  
• I "specialize" For example, since I have trouble remembering names, I don't try to. But I will focus on something else that it is easy for me to remember.
  
  
• Play word games.
  
  
• Sudoku, crossword puzzles, on-line news and research; reading, reading, reading!
  
  
• I play bridge and "Texas Holdem" on a regular basis. I also read at least two books per week.
  
  
• I read a great deal, am trying to learn American Sign Language, and write during the winter doldrum months-usually poetry or short fiction. Each of these exercises forces me to use memory more, links more of my memorable bits together, and keeps my mind fresh. Isn't this what the nun-study on Alzheimer's found effective?
  
  
• I knit! I use patterns that are somewhat complicated so I have to think about it, often.
  
  
• Coupon clipper: It's my game. I can do more to sharpen my mind, but it's the personal interests that keep one keen.
  
  
• Daily sudoku puzzles. Listening to audible books, repeating names when introduced, lots of reading. recently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, started using a C-PAP machine, and it is amazing how much clearer my mind is, and my memory, now that I am sleeping well and getting much more oxygen into my brain!
  
  
• Puzzles, any and all kinds of puzzles appearing in the paper, magazines, especially sudoku. Games and jugsaw puzzles on the computer. Working beyond the age of 65. Trying to memorize things and figure out people's names, because I have always had trouble with that, despite the hints you read about how to memorize names. My best bet is to go through the alphabet.
  
  
• When I go out to the tavern, I play Photo Hunt or Concentration to keep my memory sharp.
  
  

Some of you provided only your name. We didn't want to leave you out.

• Stephanie B, Cincinnati
  
  
• Mary C, Milford, Ohio
  
  
• Teresita B, Chicago, IL
  
  
• Flaviano G, Miami
  
  
• Bonnie C, Kansas City