A quirky habit to keep the brain in shape

sir – Pamela Taor (Letters, October 18) says she is unable to go up or down a flight of stairs without counting them.

I prefer to work through the alphabet – sometimes forwards, sometimes backwards. I vary this by using either the phonetic or the Greek alphabets. Now in my 70s, I hope these exercises are good for my brain health. Adrian Barrett

Haywards Heath, West Sussex sir – I have counted stairs up and down since I was a boy.

Far from being obsessive, this is of enormous practical value if I am in darkness, or carrying cumbersome items. Not being able to see the treads, but knowing how many are left, prevents that inevitable heart-stopping stumble at the top or bottom.

Keith Macpherson

Clevedon, Somerset