Importantly, I emphasize the concept of cognitive reserves—mental capacities we can build to buffer against age-related decline and neurodegenerative conditions. These reserves, cultivated through lifelong learning and purposeful engagement, serve as a safety net for maintaining cognitive flexibility as we age.

When an activity allows us to steer an x=y diagonal, we find ourselves happily in this ‘flow’ state, avoiding the tedium that arises when our skills outweigh the challenges we face, as well as the anxiety that follows when our obstacles become too great for us. Once again, then, we note the twin pitfalls of pain and boredom, the enemies of our