This way for the mind gym

Scientists say a mental workout is as important as keeping the body trim in the fight to stay young. …

Dr Sarah-Jayne Blakemore [UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience] said yesterday: 'Giving your mind a workout the same way you would your body is easy and can include the simplest of exercises such as mental arithmetic, logic puzzles such as Sudoku and crosswords.

'All of these can be done on a daily basis without much effort but with the bonus of having a "fitter" brain as a result. There's a lot of evidence that using your brain increases its activity but it is key to challenge yourself with puzzles that seem hard. Rather like going to the gym it's a case of no pain, no gain.'

Emily Cook, 'Daily Mail'