Grow Your Grey Matter: The Surprising Brain Benefits of Juggling
At first glance, juggling might look like a party trick or circus act—but did you know that this simple skill can actually boost brain function, enhance coordination, and increase grey matter in your brain?
At Neurohealth Wellness in Allambie Heights, we’re passionate about brain-body performance. Whether you’re an athlete from Brookvale, a busy professional in Dee Why, or a retiree enjoying life in Curl Curl, juggling offers a fun, low-impact way to keep your brain active and your body moving.
Juggling as Brain Training
When you learn to juggle, your brain creates new neural connections in areas linked to movement, memory, focus, and spatial awareness. This isn't just theory—it’s backed by science.
A 2004 study published in Nature found that people who learned to juggle increased grey matter in the occipito-temporal cortex, which processes visual motion (Draganski et al., 2004). Grey matter is vital for memory, muscle control, emotions, and decision-making.
So while it may seem like you’re just tossing balls in the air, you’re also training your brain to be sharper, faster, and more adaptive.
Juggling and Performance: Why Northern Beaches Athletes Should Care
At Neurohealth Wellness, our team of experienced chiropractors, including Dr. Tristan and Dr. Lucinda, understand how critical nervous system efficiency and motor control are for performance.
Juggling improves:
- Reaction time
- Peripheral vision and spatial awareness
- Bilateral coordination
- Mental clarity and decision-making under pressure
If you play sport around the Northern Beaches—be it footy in Manly, surfing in Freshwater, or trail running near Oxford Falls—juggling can support your agility and timing.
It’s a portable brain booster you can practise anywhere, whether in your lounge room in Beacon Hill or during a warm-up on the oval at Narrabeen.
Yes, You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: How Juggling Keeps Your Brain Sharp as You Age
The saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is actually a myth—neuroscience proves otherwise. Our brains remain remarkably adaptable and plastic throughout life, meaning that learning new skills like juggling is one of the most powerful ways to keep the ageing brain sharp, flexible, and engaged.
Whether you’re in your 40s, 60s, or even 80s, juggling offers clear benefits for older adults living in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, including Allambie Heights, Dee Why, and Narrabeen:
- Enhancing memory and brain flexibility
- Improving balance and coordination
- Boosting concentration and attention span
- Reducing fall risk and increasing confidence
And the best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership. Just a few minutes of light practice at home, in your backyard, or while soaking up the sun at Narrabeen Lagoon can lead to real, lasting improvements.
Backing this up, a landmark 2013 study by Draganski and colleagues showed that older adults around 60 years old who learned juggling experienced increases in grey matter volume in brain regions responsible for visual processing and motor coordination. This confirmed that neuroplasticity continues well into later life, and new skills like juggling can stimulate brain growth and improve cognitive function regardless of age.
So whether you’re a retiree on the Northern Beaches aiming to keep your mind sharp or a busy professional seeking a mental edge, juggling is a simple, enjoyable, and effective way to keep your brain resilient and your body active.
Juggling Builds Grey Matter – And Grows Patience
Let’s not overlook the emotional and cognitive benefits of juggling.
This practice teaches resilience and presence. Every time you drop a ball, you practise resetting and trying again—something that builds mental toughness, patience, and a healthier relationship with failure.
It’s also a moving meditation. You can’t juggle while scrolling your phone. You have to be fully present—which calms the nervous system and relieves stress.
Many of our patients in Allambie Heights and nearby suburbs like Frenchs Forest and Seaforth find juggling to be a great mindfulness tool as well as a physical workout for the brain.
Start Small, Grow Fast
You don’t need much to start juggling:
- 3 soft beanbags or tennis balls
- A clear space at home or at the park
- 5–10 minutes a day
You can begin today from your living room in Brookvale or while taking a break at Manly Dam. The key is to practise consistently. Even short daily sessions can lead to lasting brain changes within weeks.
Why Neurohealth Wellness Promotes Movement Intelligence
At Neurohealth Wellness in Allambie Heights, we focus on more than just treating pain—we aim to restore movement, optimise brain function, and build lifelong resilience.
Our chiropractors don’t just treat spines. We assess:
- Nervous system function
- Movement quality
- Brain-body coordination
- Motor control and balance
Incorporating juggling into your rehab or wellness routine can support your progress—whether you’re recovering from a disc injury, managing stress, or trying to stay sharp in your later years.
From Avalon to Forestville, our patients are discovering that playful movement can be one of the most effective tools for brain health.
Local and Personal Support
Live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and want to improve your performance, brain function, or resilience?
Our team of chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists and hypnotherapists at Neurohealth Wellness are here to help.
We can guide you through brain-based rehab, improve your posture, reduce chronic pain, and even show you how to start with coordination tools like juggling—all tailored to your specific goals.
Key Takeaways:
- Juggling increases grey matter volume and improves neuroplasticity
- Enhances coordination, balance, and brain-body integration
- Helps manage stress, build resilience, and stay mentally sharp
- Ideal for kids, athletes, busy professionals, and seniors across the Northern Beaches
- Just a few minutes of daily practice at home can boost performance and wellbeing
Book Your Brain-Body Assessment Today
📍 Find us at: 33–35 Kentwell Rd, Allambie Heights
📞 Call: (02) 9905 9099
💻 Book online: www.neurohealthwellness.com.au/booking
📧 Email: info@neurohealthwellness.com.au
We proudly serve the Northern Beaches including Allambie Heights, Brookvale, Manly, Dee Why, Forestville, Seaforth, Frenchs Forest, and beyond.
References
- Draganski, B. et al. (2004). Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311–312.
- Scholz, J. et al. (2009). Training induces changes in white-matter architecture. Nature Neuroscience, 12(11), 1370–1371.
- Seidler, R. D. et al. (2010). Motor control and aging. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 34(5), 721–733.
- Taubert, M. et al. (2012). Learning-related gray and white matter changes in humans. The Neuroscientist, 18(4), 320–325.
- Boyke, J. et al. (2008). Training-induced brain structure changes in the elderly. J. Neurosci., 28(28), 7031–7035.
- Draganski B, et al. (2013). Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain. Behavioural Brain Research, 278, 15-19.
