With a net worth exceeding $167 billion and an investment track record over six decades, Warren Buffett remains one of the sharpest minds in business at 94. While many attribute his success to his investment philosophy and business acumen, his choice of leisure activities might play an essential role in maintaining his cognitive edge.
The “Oracle of Omaha” dedicates significant time to four specific hobbies that neuroscience research suggests can enhance cognitive function: playing bridge, strumming the ukulele, reading voraciously, and occasionally hitting the golf course.
These aren’t mere coincidences—science indicates these activities might contribute significantly to keeping your brain sharp, potentially offering insights into Buffett’s enduring mental clarity. Here are the four Warren Buffett hobbies that science says will make you smarter:
1. Bridge: The Card Game That Strengthens Your Mental Muscles
Warren Buffett spends about 12 hours weekly playing bridge, often alongside his longtime friend Bill Gates. “Bridge is such a sensational game that I wouldn’t mind being in jail if I had three cellmates who were decent players,” Buffett once said, highlighting his passion for the complex card game.
Bridge demands exceptional working memory, strategic planning, and inferential reasoning. Players must track 52 cards, remember bidding sequences, and make probability-based decisions while adjusting strategy based on partner and opponent behavior. These mental gymnastics create the perfect cognitive workout.
Research published in scientific journals indicates that card games like Bridge enhance working memory and reasoning skills, as they require strategic thinking and problem-solving. What makes bridge particularly beneficial is its social component—players must communicate and work with partners while competing against opponents.
The social engagement factor is crucial for brain health. Studies suggest that playing bridge can help delay cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk by providing mental stimulation and social interaction. The combination of analytical thinking with social engagement creates a potent neuroprotective effect.
Dr. Christopher Hertzog, a psychology professor studying cognitive aging, has noted in his research that “maintaining an intellectually engaged and physically active lifestyle is associated with better maintenance of cognitive skills and a reduced risk of cognitive decline.” This aligns with his broader work on cognitive enrichment, which suggests that engaging in activities that require mental challenge and active engagement can help preserve cognitive abilities throughout adulthood and into old age
These mental skills—pattern recognition, strategic planning, and memory—directly apply to business and investment decision-making, potentially explaining why Buffett values this cerebral pastime.
2. Ukulele Mastery: How Musical Training Rewires Your Brain
Buffett’s affinity for the ukulele dates back to his college years. He’s known to entertain guests and even play at shareholder meetings. This seemingly simple hobby activates multiple brain regions simultaneously, creating neural connections that enhance overall cognitive function.
Learning to play instruments like the ukulele stimulates neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways. This process enhances working memory and improves cognitive flexibility. When you learn to play an instrument, your brain physically changes as it adapts to coordinate complex finger movements while processing musical notation and sound.
Scientific research demonstrates that musical training has been linked to better performance in mathematics and reading, as it enhances memory and concentration. This occurs because playing music simultaneously engages almost every brain area, especially the visual, auditory, and motor cortices.
The ukulele’s accessibility makes it particularly valuable for cognitive enhancement. It’s portable, relatively easy to learn the basics, and provides immediate auditory feedback, creating a low-barrier entry to musical training’s cognitive benefits.
The creative expression aspect of music also fosters emotional well-being, further supporting cognitive health. Stress reduction through musical expression protects brain cells and enhances learning capacity—potentially contributing to Buffett’s famous calm demeanor during market volatility.
3. Reading: The Timeless Habit That Protects Your Cognitive Future
Perhaps Buffett’s most famous habit is his voracious reading regimen. “I just sit in my office and read all day,” he has said, explaining that he dedicates about 80% of his working day to reading everything from company reports to newspapers and books.
Scientific research demonstrates that reading protects cognitive function and can reduce the risk of cognitive decline in later life. This occurs through multiple mechanisms: reading builds and maintains the neural pathways involved in language processing, expands vocabulary, strengthens attention, and enhances critical thinking skills.
When we read, we engage in mental simulation, imagining concepts, scenarios, and information processing that activates diverse brain regions. This process expands vocabulary, improves writing ability, and enhances intellectual stamina. Most importantly, it forces the brain to connect new information and existing knowledge.
Research indicates that early reading habits can influence later verbal and nonverbal intelligence. Buffett’s lifelong reading habit likely contributed to his encyclopedic business knowledge and his ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated information—a key skill in identifying investment opportunities.
Unlike passive entertainment consumption, reading requires active engagement with ideas, creating stronger neural pathways. This active learning stance mirrors the analytical approach needed for investment analysis, making reading particularly beneficial for decision-making quality.
4. Golf: More Than Just a Business Meeting on the Green
While less prominent than his other hobbies, Buffett enjoys occasional golf rounds. Far from the stereotype of business deals on the course, his approach to golf reflects his thoughtful approach to other pursuits.
Golf combines physical activity with strategic thinking, requiring problem-solving and decision-making skills. The game demands assessing conditions, choosing strategies, and executing actions, similar to complex decision-making in business. Each hole presents unique challenges requiring adjustments and planning.
The sport demands concentration and focus to align shots and gauge distances, sharpening these skills in ways that extend beyond the game. This focused attention training has transferable benefits to investment analysis and business leadership.
Regular golfing has been linked to improved memory and reduced risk of cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. It enhances blood flow to the brain, which benefits mental health. The physical activity component provides cardiovascular benefits that support brain function, while the outdoor nature of the sport exposes players to natural settings that reduce stress and enhance cognitive performance.
Golf often involves social interaction, crucial for maintaining cognitive function and emotional well-being. This combination of physical activity, strategic thinking, and social engagement creates a holistic cognitive enhancement experience.
Conclusion
Warren Buffett’s hobbies—bridge, ukulele playing, reading, and golf—align remarkably well with activities that neuroscience research suggests enhance cognitive function. While these pursuits alone don’t explain his extraordinary success, they likely contribute to his continued mental sharpness and decision-making abilities.
The common threads among these activities are notable: They combine mental challenge with either social engagement or creative expression, require focused attention, and build skills that transfer well to business and investment contexts. They also balance analytical thinking with stress reduction—which has been critical for maintaining brain health for decades.
Incorporating similar cognitively stimulating activities into your routine might not guarantee Buffett-level wealth, but the science suggests they could help maintain and even enhance your cognitive abilities throughout life.
Whether you choose card games, musical instruments, reading, or strategic sports, the key is engaging in activities that challenge your brain while providing enjoyment and stress relief.
Buffett said, “The more you learn, the more you earn.” His hobbies suggest that spending your leisure time might be just as important as spending your working hours when it comes to building and maintaining cognitive capabilities that contribute to long-term success.