I’m 78 and My Brain Is Sharp as a Whip—My No. 1 Rule for a Strong, Healthy Brain Is So Simple

Older adults have many concerns, but one of the most important is staying mentally active and engaged as they age. For seniors seeking to maintain good brain health, Anthony Fredericks is more than willing to offer them straightforward advice. Fredericks is 78 years old and says his brain is “just as sharp and productive as ever.”

Fredericks, a professor emeritus of education at York College of Pennsylvania, has written over 175 books on a variety of subjects, from marine biology and baseball to resume writing and even Mother Goose. He is also the author of Psychology Today’s Creative Insights blog. He worked for over 30 years as a professor and served as a consultant to more than 100 schools across North America.

Although retired, Fredericks continues to write books, give presentations, and blog about psychology. So, what is his secret for keeping his mind mentally sharp? It’s simple: “I remain endlessly curious,” Fredericks wrote in an article for CNBC’s Make It. “Our brain’s chemistry changes when we become curious. Curiosity is what sharpens our intellectual powers and keeps us mentally active well into our golden years.”

Fredericks says he has four complex rules for keeping his brain sharp and quick:

1. He Embraces His Ignorance

There’s a well-known saying that knowledge is the key to success. However, according to Fredericks, studies on some of the most successful people in the world have found that they do not attribute their achievements to having all the answers. Instead, they accept their “innate ignorance.”

They realize that there is always more to learn about the world, yet they do not let that hold them back from making progress. If anything, it pushes them to do more. “Knowing what we don’t know can be a powerful mindset shift that sparks growth and creativity,” according to Fredericks.

To embrace your ignorance, Fredericks recommends:

2. Spend five to 10 minutes learning as much as you can about the topic. Write down three interesting facts about it.

Fredericks says this is a simple but effective way to exercise your brain.

2. He Practices Divergent Thinking

Most people have been trained in “convergent thinking,” meaning they are looking for the “right answers” as if there is only one solution to every problem.

As a long-time educator, Fredericks knows that most schools train students to focus on facts, such as “What is the capital of Pennsylvania?” rather than creative answers, such as “Where do you think the capital of Pennsylvania should be located?” This is a totally different way of thinking that requires creativity.

According to Fredericks, open-ended questions, also known as divergent questions because they have many answers, call for deeper thinking and allow us to stretch our minds.

To practice divergent thinking, Fredericks recommends asking yourself “What if…?” questions a few times a week. For example:

Besides being fun, Fredericks said these questions can generate a variety of answers and avenues for investigation.

3. He Harnesses The Power of Awe

There have been times in our lives when we have experienced what’s known as “the power of awe,” even though we may not have realized it. This is a moment when ordinary events, such as seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time or holding a newborn baby, become extraordinary.

Experiencing a sense of awe can stimulate wonder and curiosity, according to researchers at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. It can also enhance our well-being, foster a more positive outlook, and increase curiosity.

To harness the power of awe, Fredericks recommends visiting a place you’ve never been before once or twice a month. It can be any place from a local park to a new restaurant. Discover something extraordinary about that place, take time to observe it, and record your thoughts.

4. He Diversifies His Reading List

Fredericks says that one of the most effective ways to cultivate our natural curiosity is by reading literature that extends beyond our area of expertise. When we open ourselves up to different ways of thinking through literature, we create new opportunities for learning and growth.

Although he has taught for 50 years, Fredericks said his current reading list does not include books on education. Instead, his books cover a wide range of topics, including marketing strategies, paleontology, growing tomatoes, British narrowboats, island ecology, long-distance running, and redwood trees, among many others.

To diversify your reading list, Fredericks suggests:

2. Select at least three books on topics that interest you but that you have never worked in or formally studied.

3. Read at least one chapter a day.

“You might be surprised by where your research takes you,” Fredericks wrote.

Source Links:
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/11/78-year-old-has-written-over-175-books-my-4-hard-rules-for-a-mentally-sharp-brain.html