“Hobbies actually involve aspects of creativity and engagement,” compared with the passive pursuits of watching TV or scrolling social media, he says. Whether it is knitting or enjoying bridge — hobbies that may be acquainted to our grandparents — “they maintain us connected in ways that folks have been connected over generations,” Noordsy says. The MIND diet is a mashup of a Mediterranean food plan and the DASH food plan, which has been shown to reduce hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart attack and stroke.