There aren’t many people in public life like Amy Sedaris. The comedian, actress and writer has a longtime following for her smart, absurdist comedy; her love of crafts and bright colors; and her empathetic and curious writing. This is a woman whose brain appears to constantly be in high gear—so how does she do it?
Recently, Sedaris partnered with the multivitamin and supplement company Centrum and Dave & Buster’s for a new campaign aimed to encourage older adults to challenge and flex their cognitive muscles through games. There’s some evidence that games can benefit the brain by building and reinforcing key functions like memory, problem solving and focus.
It turns out that forcing her brain to work through new challenges is part of how Sedaris stays so sharp. Sedaris loves games and often plays ones that she makes up with her friends—she keeps lots of props in her apartment for this purpose. Practicing this quick recall and improvisation is important—not just for her comedy but for her brain’s health.
“I do try to really take care of my brain and feed my brain as much as possible because as an improviser you really need it,” she said during a panel at the campaign’s launch.
That sense of playfulness and curiosity carries throughout Sedaris’ wellness routine: introducing novelty into her day is key to her wellbeing, she said. She tries new recipes, loves discovering new walking routes in New York and connecting with her friends, family, even strangers.
“The biggest thing I can say is to move and to just be interested in things because that makes you more interesting,” she said. “Talk to other people, be in community together, worship together… you don’t have to spend so much time by yourself.”
On a rainy morning at Dave & Buster’s in Times Square, Sedaris spoke with Flow Space about how she keeps her brain sharp.
Flow Space: You’ve talked about the importance of social connection for longevity and that you should try not to be alone all the time. What kind of community do you have?
Amy Sedaris: You can be alone, but there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. I don’t get lonely, and I think that comes from being from a large family because, automatically, I was in a community growing up. I usually have a lot of people over me, but I do well on my own, too. But it’s always better to get out there and [embrace] fellowship.
You’re also really close with your brother, writer David Sedaris. I’m wondering do you think that close sibling relationships help your brain?
I talk to all my family and we’re close, but David lives here sometimes. With his writing, he’s always trying to come up with a perfect word, and so he’s like, “I’m trying to think of something,” and then I’ll take that on and obsess about it. I like having something to think about like that for David. Sometimes, he’ll call me and say, “How long did it take you to come up with that word? That was a good word!” I love talking to him about that stuff.
You’re good friends with [comedian and actor] Cole Escola, 38, and there’s data out there about the benefits of intergenerational friendships for healthy aging. Have you learned any good lessons from your friends, including the younger ones, about how to live well?
I do tend to hang out with younger people. When I hang out with older people, a lot of them are like, “Your skin’s going to do this, and you’re back…” and I’m always like, “I’m not hanging out with you.” I don’t want to hear about something that may or may not happen to me… young kids don’t necessarily talk that way.
When I used to do [Late Show with David] Letterman, I always had a notebook on me. Whenever I came across an idea, I’d write it down, and I still do it on my computer, but not as much. Everything is an idea for something.
You also mentioned your improv training helps you stay on your toes and keep your brain sharp. What do you do in the morning to get ready? You’re so vibrant and witty, so how do you get to that place every day?
People make fun of me, like, “You’re busy.” But usually, to tell you the truth, I’m always at the post office. I’m just always there, and I’m always mailing somebody something. I love going there, and I’m so lucky I have a good one. I decorate lighters, so I go by the store that sells my lighters and check on my inventory. Then, I go to the gym and I work out, and on the way back, I get a coffee or run errands.
Once my workout is done, it just depends on what I have that day. If I don’t have anything planned, I’ll keep myself busy. I cook for myself, so I grocery shop every single day.
I have a nice little neighborhood and community. I know everybody, I know their names and they know my name. That comes from being from North Carolina, but you can have that in New York City.
Think of other people. The more you put out there, the more it’s going to come back to you. If someone is on your mind, pick up the phone and call. I used to do it with my dad: If I’m thinking of my dad, I’m going to call him. I don’t want to be like, “Oh, I didn’t call on that day.”
I remember you also mentioned walks. Do you have any favorite places you go in New York that really nourish you?
I like a neighborhood walk. When I was working on my craft book, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People, I would set a timer for 90 minutes and be like, “OK, everyone drink eight ounces of water, and we’ll walk around the block.” I like walking by the water down by the piers. I like going to the park and feeding the squirrels. I usually have nuts on me… I think they know. The squirrel is the state animal of [North Carolina] where I grew up in.
If you’re staying on two strong legs, your brain is going to be on point. Just move. If you have the option to take an elevator to the fourth floor or take the stairs, take the stairs.
You seem to do so many different things. Experts say that making your brain work hard to learn something new is beneficial, so I’m wondering: Have you noticed a benefit by having your hand in all these different activities, like your coloring club, your crafts, your comedy?
You just keep it going and keep it active. Now, with this coloring club, what I like about it is it really calms you down. You can still hang out with people and have a good conversation, so your brain’s going. But to be able to color something is calming, but it’s also about what color choices you’re going to use. I’m really into coloring.
You also have an amazing, colorful apartment that you designed. Do you consider design something nourishing for your brain?
Very much so. I like to look at a room and come up with a challenge and fill it with things that are personal to me. It’s funny, when you go to some people’s houses and you open a box, and there’s nothing there, or they don’t know what books are on their shelf. Or they’re like, “How do you buy art?” You can do whatever you want to do, like what do you like?
I have a lot of creative friends, and they’ll come over and then you have a conversation. Next thing you know, you’ve got a whole gingham bedroom.
It’s really cool to hear that you’re so in tune with your health because there’s an idea that sometimes you need to be sacrificing or struggling to be in a place to make good art. I’ve heard that from comedians, actors and even other writers. What do you think about that?
I’m good natured. I have friends who suffer, but I don’t think that at all. It’s not just that life’s too short, but also because [when you do that], you just get more of it.
Even talking to somebody and asking them one question can change everything. First of all, people aren’t used to talking about themselves, so they like to. It’s fun to go up to somebody and ask them a question and see their whole face light up. I always learn something interesting. I bother people so much.
Flow Space takes its name from Hungarian-American psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, known for discovering the concept of “flow,” the highly focused mental state, conducive to productivity, which allows you to be fully immersed and present in the moment. When do you feel like that?
When I’m in my apartment, I call it my I Dream of Jeannie time. I call it a “snow day,” like today is a snow day. I get comfortable and I have a little craft to do today, and I’m going to make meatballs for my god kid. I love taking a snow day and then just staying in like Jeannie was in her bottle. There’s no world out there, and you’re just in there doing whatever you want to do.
Is there anything else you want women to know about keeping their brains sharp and being well?
I’m not saying I always do, but, at least, I appreciate people that put in effort. They look nice, they’re taking care of themselves, they’re not out of breath getting upstairs. Just because it’s all you’ve got: it’s your body and there’s so much going around [trying to] distract you, like the fast world and the telephones. That’s what they want, and I’m not going to give it to them.
