Give your brain a boost

Your lifestyle habits and the choices you make every day may have a big impact on your brain and how it functions.¹ Let’s take a closer look at some of these brain-healthy habits and tips to help you get started.

Train your brain

Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain, helping reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive decline.^1,2

When you engage your brain, it helps protect it by establishing “cognitive reserve”. Research has shown that people with more cognitive reserve are better able to ward off symptoms of degenerative brain changes associated with dementia and other diseases.³

Try these activities to challenge your mind:

• Play brain games. Do a variety of puzzles (crossword, Sudoku, brain teasers, etc.) to simulate different parts of your brain.
• Learn new things. Study a new language, learn a new skill or hobby, or participate in a class that is unfamiliar to you but still interesting.
• Break out of your routine. Try things like driving home from the grocery store in a different way, having something at a restaurant that you’ve never had before, etc.

Stay social

Socializing and connecting with others is another great way to boost brain health. Remaining socially active may help support brain health and possibly delay the onset of dementia.¹

Consider these ideas to stay connected:

• Keep in touch with friends. Meet for regularly scheduled “dates”, or use phone calls, video chat apps, social media, or email to stay in touch with those who aren’t nearby.
• Make new friends. Try activities to meet new people, such as attending local gym classes or clubs, participating in local functions or sporting events, enrolling in a continuing education class, or volunteering for a cause that’s meaningful to you.

Remember: If you’re feeling lonely, it’s important to tell someone how you feel. It can be difficult to open up, but it may help you feel better and make a change. Consider talking to friends, family, a therapist, or your doctor. Those who know you best may have great ideas that can help, but a healthcare professional may be needed in some cases.

Eat a brain-healthy diet

Research has found that combining elements from the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets could cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by more than half.⁴ This hybrid diet is called the MIND diet, which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.

The MIND diet recommends these brain-healthy foods:

1. Leafy green vegetables
2. Other vegetables
3. Nuts
4. Berries
5. Beans
6. Whole grains
7. Fish
8. Poultry
9. Olive oil
10. Wine