Brain teasers: Winter is a great time to reflect and plan for projects and outdoor activities once spring arrives. However, if you feel your mind is getting dull from a lot of downtime and too much television, here are a few ways to sharpen your mind.

Test your recall by making a list (of anything you wish) and memorizing it. Then, in an hour, see how many items you can write down on a new piece of paper.

If you have just arrived home, try drawing your route from memory. Include as many landmarks and details as you can.

Visualize how a word is spelled in your head. Next, try to think of other words that begin and end with the same letters.

Here are some other ways to push yourself if you feel your mind getting a bit sluggish:

– Skip the calculator. Test your math skills and see how well you do without the help of a calculator.

– Start a new hobby. It is always important to consider learning something new when you want to keep your mind sharp. This can give the additional benefit of keeping your hands busy if you’ve been dealing with boredom lately. Take a cooking class or learn a new language.

– Exercise your body. Take a walk, a run or even dance around the living room. This can help keep your mind sharp as well.

– Listen to music. Classical music has been known to spark creativity. Give yourself a boost and sharpen your brain at the same time.

– Volunteer. There are many worthy causes in the area that would love your help. The McKean County SPCA, organizations that provide to the needy and the Bradford Area Senior Center are a few places where volunteers are always welcome.

– Try drawing, painting, assembling a puzzle or knitting — take on projects that require eye-hand coordination.

Finally, try to challenge yourself each day. Learn something new about a flower you saw but didn’t recognize, a country mentioned on the daily news you don’t know much about.

— or try to read something new about a topic that you haven’t studied much previously.