Martha Stewart, 84, Swears by Morning Games and Puzzles: ‘It’s Good for Your Brain’
Good news: Experts say the secret isn't necessarily when you play, it's how often
At 84, Martha Stewart is busier than ever, juggling TV projects, social media and her lifestyle empire with the energy of someone half her age. So what’s her secret to staying so vibrant? The lifestyle guru recently shared a glimpse into her daily routine on the Lipstick on the Rim podcast, and it starts with something you might not expect: morning brain games. But do they really sharpen your memory and focus—and do you have to be a morning person to see the benefits? We asked experts to weigh in.
Martha Stewart’s morning brain game routine
So what does Stewart do to maintain the vibrancy and mental sharpness most of us hope to sustain into our 80s? In the interview, she shared that she starts her day in the wee hours of the morning with brain exercises.
“[My] typical day starts early,” said Stewart. “I wake up around 4 [to] 4:30 a.m. I read the entire New York Times. I do all the puzzles. I do Letter Boxed, I do Tiles. I do all of those silly games, but it’s good for your brain. It’s just good.”
Woman's World Answers
The health benefits of brain games
First things first: Rab Nawaz, MD, a board-certified neurologist clarifies that brain games are not a “magical shield” for preventing dementia. He says that long-term brain protection primarily comes from exercise, adequate sleep, social connection, blood pressure regulation, treating mood problems and taking care of your hearing.
So where do brain games fit in? “Brain games can sharpen attention, speed, word finding and mental flexibility in the short term, and they may help preserve cognitive efficiency when done regularly,” says Dr. Nawaz.
Does timing matter for brain games?
If you’re not a morning person, Stewart’s 4 am routine may sound nearly impossible for you to maintain. The good news is that you don’t have to.
“Timing matters less than consistency, but morning can be a very good window for many people because the brain is often less mentally cluttered and more alert after waking,” explains Dr. Nawaz. “If someone sleeps well and tends to think clearly early in the day, morning puzzles may feel easier and more rewarding, which helps the habit stick.”
As for evening brain games? “If an adult feels like the evening is when they are most focused and consistent, then this may be a great time for them to be mentally engaged and doing it regularly,” says Pablo Prichard, MD, host of Forever Young on NBC and co-founder of Vincere Cancer Center.
Still, both Dr. Prichard and Dr. Nawaz caution that evening brain games could impact your sleep.
“The one caution is that if the games are too stimulating, competitive or screen-heavy, they can delay wind-down close to bedtime,” says Dr. Nawaz. “My practical advice is simple: Do them when you are alert and likely to stay consistent, with morning or late afternoon usually being the best fit.”
4 expert-approved brain games
To rev your focus and help ward off memory loss, give these fun brain games a try:
Crossword or spelling games
“My first pick is word games like crosswords, spelling games or word association tasks,” says Dr. Nawaz. “They work by pulling on language networks [parts of the brain that process language], memory retrieval and verbal fluency. They are especially good for word finding and mental flexibility.”
Dr. Prichard adds that doing these types of games for 10 to 20 minutes four to six times a week is a helpful place to start.
Logic puzzles like Sudoku
“Sudoku or logic puzzles rely on sequencing, focus and problem solving,” says Dr. Prichard. “They strengthen concentration and executive functions, which are the skills we use to organize, plan and hold information mentally. I recommend these daily if possible, and setting a goal for solving [them] in a given amount of time. These are also great because they do not necessarily require a screen.”
Dr. Nawaz explains that these types of puzzles also challenge working memory and help the brain practice holding information while solving problems step by step.
Memory recall practices
Dr. Nawaz says simple tasks like trying to recall your grocery list without looking or reading an article and summarizing it from memory can be powerful tools. These activities strengthen the brain’s ability to store and retrieve information and better mirror real-life situations where these skills are needed compared to app-based games, explains Dr. Nawaz.
Learning-based mental exercises
Dr. Prichard says learning something new or engaging in creative activities is one of the most effective ways to challenge the brain. This type of mental exercise forces you to take in, process and apply new information, activating multiple areas of the brain at once, he says. He recommends activities like listening to a podcast and teaching the material to someone else or working on a writing project as especially powerful.
Dr. Nawaz recommends incorporating this through activities like learning a new language, playing music or challenging a friend to strategy-based games like chess. Aim for two to four sessions per week at a level that feels challenging but not frustrating.
The bottom line on Martha Stewart’s morning brain game habit
Martha Stewart’s morning brain game routine works for her—but the good news is that you don’t need to be an early bird to keep your mind sharp. Whether you tackle a crossword with your morning coffee, squeeze in Sudoku during lunch or unwind with word games in the evening, what matters most is showing up consistently. Pick a time that fits your life, choose games that challenge and delight you and give your brain the daily workout it deserves.
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