October 29, 2025
Social cognition is the ability to perceive and understand the social behaviors of oneself and others. It’s a very important aspect of cognition, because successfully navigating social interactions plays a vital role in building connections, strengthening empathy, and maintaining brain health. Like any skill, it can be sharpened with practice. Here are five engaging ways to boost social cognition and keep your mind active.
1. Embrace New Hobbies
Trying something unfamiliar challenges the brain and keeps neural pathways flexible. Find an activity you’ve always wanted to try and jump in! Whether it’s knitting, photography, chess, or a sport, hobbies introduce you to new skills and communities. They also provide conversation starters, facilitating social connections and giving you more “ins” when meeting new people.
2. Blend Brain Exercises with Physical Movement
Cognitive apps like Duolingo and brain games like sudoku, crosswords, and memory games aren’t just time killers. They can be integrated into physical activity. For example, try solving language flashcards during a treadmill walk or pair stretching exercises with word recall drills. Your brain loves making associations, and the brain-body combination has been shown to strengthen memory while enhancing overall wellness.
3. Join Community Game Nights
Playing board games, trivia, bingo, or role-playing games with others strengthens both mental flexibility and social awareness. Plus, it’s fun! Local game shops often host events where you can meet new people while challenging your brain in a low-pressure environment. It’s a great way to find others who share your interests and participate in a hobby that boosts cognitive function while fostering a sense of belonging.
4. Learn to Dance
Dancing combines movement, rhythm, and social interaction in a way few other activities can. Taking a dance class challenges coordination and memory while encouraging teamwork and nonverbal communication, a perfect combination for sharpening your social cognition skills. Programs like Dance for PD highlight the therapeutic benefits of dance and provide live and virtual dance instruction. In fact, many studios now offer online webcasts, so dancing is more accessible than ever!
5. Read With Others
Joining a book club is a simple yet powerful way to exercise the mind and meet interesting new people. Reading introduces ideas and perspectives you may have never considered, while group discussions improve empathy, comprehension, and the ability to see the world through others’ eyes, helping you engage both socially and intellectually. Since reading is one of those activities that can be easily set aside when life gets busy, committing to regular discussions with a book club provides excellent motivation to continue. You never know who you might meet!
Improving social cognition may sound daunting, but it can be fun, rewarding, and community driven. By embracing a few of these five practices, you’ll not only sharpen your mind, but enrich your social life in the process. This is important, because maintaining social relationships is one of the most powerful ways to boost overall cognition and delay the onset of cognitive decline.
