Howard J. Bennett, pediatrician: “Curiosity is not just an emotion, it’s a cognitive health tool.”

At 78, Dr. Howard J. Bennett proves that age doesn't hinder a sharp mind. With more than 175 published books and a career in education, this pediatrician champions a simple idea: exercising the mind through constant curiosity . Each week, he chooses a completely new topic, spends a few minutes researching it, and jots down what catches his attention the most . It's a habit he practices enthusiastically and regularly.

For Bennett, an interest in learning goes beyond a passing emotion. “ Curiosity isn't just an emotion; it's a tool for cognitive health ,” he says. Studies published in the Journal of Neuroscience show that curiosity activates brain regions related to learning and pleasure. This improves information retention and enhances brain plasticity , even in later life. “ Accepting my ignorance has been liberating ,” he adds.

Another key point in her routine is to encourage divergent thinking , that is, the ability to generate multiple responses to the same question. Instead of searching for the perfect solution, she poses open-ended questions that spark the imagination. Researchers at Harvard University agree that this practice stimulates areas of the brain related to decision-making and mental adaptation . This fosters a more flexible and creative mind.

Bennett also emphasizes the value of wonder as a mental exercise. You don't need to go on grand adventures to reactivate your brain: just explore an unfamiliar street or listen to an interesting story. He's also a voracious reader of topics outside his field, such as Eastern philosophy or quantum physics . " Getting out of our intellectual rut forces us to think from new angles ," he says. For him, the mind stays young as long as we keep asking questions .