By Barbara Miller, M.A.
Working in brain health, I get asked a lot of questions. Do brain exercises actually work? What about crosswords? I lose my keys, my glasses, my wife... does that mean...? But lately, everyone wants to know: does Wordle count?
Yes, Wordle counts. But probably not the way you think.
Of course, there's a correlation between the effort you put into something and the benefit you reap. However, the brain likes novelty, and learning something new requires sustained effort and engagement. So play Wordle, try hard at it, and pick up a new game or activity that you enjoy. Switching things up keeps us on our toes. Same thing with crosswords: mix it up.
Here's what's going on in there. Every time you learn something, networks of brain cells communicate with one another. Practice strengthens those connections. Neuroscientists like to say, "neurons that fire together, wire together." Sure, Wordle is a new puzzle every day. But it's the same kind of thinking every day, drawing on skills you've already practiced. Trying something genuinely new challenges your brain in different ways. And the brain can keep learning and adapting throughout your life. That's called neuroplasticity, and it doesn't retire when you do.
This is part of what scientists mean by cognitive reserve—the brain's ability to keep functioning despite the changes that come with aging or disease. Education, mentally challenging activities, and rich social and cultural experiences are all associated with greater cognitive reserve.
And it's not too late. In one study, people aged 60 to 90 learned quilting or digital photography for 15 hours a week for three months. Their memory improved. The group that just socialized? No change.
That doesn't mean Wordle—or any single brain exercise—has been shown to prevent dementia. The bigger idea is to keep learning, challenging yourself, and engaging with the world.
So keep your Wordle streak. Then go find something new that makes you a little nervous, something you've always been curious about but never tried. It's supposed to feel awkward at first. Awkward means your brain is building. And unlike Wordle, you might make a few friends along the way. And we all know that's good for more than just the brain.
As for losing your keys, your glasses, or your wife? That's a whole other article. Stay tuned.
Source: The Synapse Project, https://agingmind.utdallas.edu/the-synapse-project/