Change Where You Shop

When you get into a routine and do the same things over and over, your brain gets very little stimulation. Previously, we have learned that our minds works on the "use it or lose it" principal. One easy way to introduce novelty into your life is to shop at different grocery stores. For most of human history, finding food was a difficult task that required social interaction and ingenuity. In modern society, getting food from the local supermarket requires very little thought. Here are two ways to spice things up.

1. Try doing your grocery shopping at a different store. This will force you to learn a different store layout, and different brands of foods. Maybe you'll find something that you like better.

2. Shop at specialty markets. Instead of getting everything from one place, go to a bakery, a butcher shop, a farmers market, or an ethnic food store. You will probably get fresher food that will taste better and be better for you. Often these markets will have uncommon varieties that you can't get at a supermarket. Try one of these to get a different sensory input.