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Art and Creativity for Brain Health
Trivia: Which gentle host invited viewers to “be my neighbor,” with the U.S. national debut of his show in 1968?
RetireHub
September 26, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Friday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on Art and Creativity for Brain Health, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Top Deals From Around The Web
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What We’re Reading
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 | By: Angie Cole He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy, and she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope. Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more? |
On this day in 1960, the first-ever televised presidential debate in U.S. history took place between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
Broadcast to an estimated 70 million viewers, the debate forever changed the landscape of American politics—showcasing the power of appearance and media presence. Kennedy’s confident, camera-ready poise contrasted sharply with Nixon’s tired look and visible sweat, influencing public perception and ultimately playing a key role in Kennedy’s narrow victory in the 1960 election.
It was a defining moment that proved television had become a major force in shaping public opinion and modern campaigning.
Art and Creativity for Brain Health
Staying mentally sharp as we age doesn’t always require brain teasers or puzzle books—sometimes, the best exercise for the mind comes from a brush, a pen, or even a ball of yarn. Creative expression, whether through art, music, or storytelling, has been shown to support brain health in remarkable ways. In recent years, researchers and clinicians alike have begun to recognize that the arts offer more than beauty—they provide tangible cognitive benefits, especially for older adults.
Engaging in art activates multiple areas of the brain at once. Vision, memory, hand coordination, and decision-making all work together during even the simplest creative activity. This mental workout can help improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. For seniors, these benefits translate into clearer thinking, better moods, and in some cases, a slower progression of age-related memory issues.
But perhaps the most beautiful part of using creativity to support the brain is that it doesn’t require any special talent or training. You don’t have to be an “artist” to reap the benefits. Adult coloring books, doodling, playing with clay, or even rearranging a bookshelf by color can bring just as much stimulation and satisfaction as painting a landscape. The emphasis is on the process, not the product.
For those living with early memory loss or dementia, creative practices can be especially powerful. Many memory care programs now include music and art-based therapies because they tap into emotional memory—often bypassing verbal limitations and creating a sense of calm and connection. Even listening to familiar songs or painting with watercolors can unlock memories or spark conversations.
Creativity also has a way of bringing people together. Whether it’s a casual knitting group, a community writing circle, or a painting class at the local library, group activities reduce feelings of isolation and encourage shared joy. For many older adults, these gatherings become a treasured social outlet, combining mental stimulation with meaningful human connection.
Ultimately, creative expression is not just a pastime—it’s a powerful tool for aging well. It keeps the mind engaged, lifts the spirit, and helps us tell our stories in color, texture, and sound. Whether you’re sketching from a window, writing a poem, or humming a tune from your youth, you're doing more than creating—you’re caring for your brain.
What’s your favorite way to get creative? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Would you ever consider taking a volunteer vacation?
Volunteer vacations are striking a chord! Over a third of readers (35.4%) said they absolutely love the idea of giving back while exploring new places, and another 31.5% said they’d consider it—especially if the cause meant something personal. Whether you’re dreaming of planting trees abroad, mentoring students, or building community projects, it’s clear that purposeful travel is on many minds. Others prefer to lend a hand closer to home or savor their journeys in traditional ways—and that’s the beauty of it all: there’s no one right way to explore the world.
TOP COMMENTS
“I think it would be fun to volunteer and see new places while meeting new people!”
“I volunteer in my area, I would love the opportunity to be able to travel, help and learn ”
“I am an educator with lots of experience. I would love to be able to go to schools to read, assist, lead, and or consult.”
Move with Joy: How Listening to Your Body Makes All the Difference
In the search for a fitness routine that truly sticks, “joyful movement” offers a refreshing perspective—rather than pushing through pain or keeping up with a rigid schedule, it invites you to move in ways your body loves. The idea is simple: some days your body craves a brisk walk, other days a gentle stretch or restorative yoga. The key is to approach exercise with curiosity and kindness, not obligation.
Because our energy, mood, and bodies change from day to day, what feels right one morning might not the next. The author encourages asking yourself small questions—“How rested am I? How is my mood?”—to guide what kind of movement you choose. A useful trick is the “first five minutes” test: commit to a movement for just five minutes. If it feels too taxing, switch to something softer.
There’s also wisdom in mixing gentle with more energetic movement over time. It’s okay (even smart) to build up strength slowly, add variety, and not insist on “sweat every session.” Supporting habits like warming up properly, hydrating, eating well, and stretching afterward all help make movement safer and more sustainable.
Ultimately, there is no “one right way” to move. What matters is learning to trust your body, choosing what elevates you—mentally as much as physically—and doing so with consistency and compassion. Movement becomes less of a chore and more of a gift: a way to live more fully, in tune with yourself and your changing needs.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Glitch in the matrix
Meaning: A glitch in the matrix refers to a strange or seemingly impossible moment where reality feels off—like déjà vu, time skipping, or something happening that defies normal logic. The term comes from the 1999 film The Matrix, where a “glitch” was a sign that the simulated world had been altered.
In a sentence: “Yesterday I put my reading glasses on the kitchen table, went to grab my tea, and when I came back—they were already on my face. If that’s not a glitch in the matrix, I don’t know what is!”
Good News of the Day
Tiny Berries, Big Benefits: Blueberries May Help Babies’ Allergies & Gut Health
New research suggests that introducing blueberries to infants might do more than delight the palate—it could help ease allergy symptoms and promote a healthier gut. In a controlled trial, babies who were given freeze-dried blueberry powder over several months showed signs of reduced inflammation, improved immune markers, and milder allergy symptoms compared to those who received a placebo.
To reduce the risk of choking, the researchers recommend pureeing blueberries for younger infants and mashing or chopping them for older babies. While the study is small and further research is needed, it opens a hopeful path toward evidence-based guidance for introducing solid foods—and shows how something as simple as blueberries could support long-term immune and gut health in early life.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which gentle host invited viewers to “be my neighbor,” with the U.S. national debut of his show in 1968? |
Which company introduced the SX-70, the first consumer instant SLR camera, in 1972? |
Which U.S. national park contains the deepest lake in the country (1,943 feet)? |
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