Meditate. Practiced frequently in Eastern religions, mediation allows you to transcend the constant flow of thoughts and tap into your subconsciousness that plays a part in increasing your capacity for learning and controlling emotional impulses.
Play brainteaser games. Brain teaser games allows you improve your memory, reaction time and focus by creating and strengthening new learning pathways in the brain. You can find free brain teasers online. Select brain teasers that are entertaining so that you'll want to play frequently.
Learn to play an instrument. Learning the language of music challenges your mind to perform new concepts while sparking your creativity.
Read and write. The practice of reading and writing not only improves communication skills, but it also helps to program new information and cultivate self-expression.
Put together puzzles. Puzzles improves hand-to-eye coordination and critical thinking skills.