Brain Health Corner
More and more research is showing that there is a lot we can do to keep our brains healthy and potentially prevent or lessen cognitive decline as we age.* By making brain healthy lifestyle changes, you can make a difference. Make your fitness routine both physical and mental by following these 10 steps--and help keep your brain and your body in shape.
*While research is still preliminary, studies are beginning to show that brain-healthy lifestyle habits may also delay or prevent the onset of dementia. To learn more, visit the research section below.#1 Nourish Your Noggin: Eat a Brain
Healthy Diet
#2 Use It or Lose It: Stay Mentally Active
#3 Work Out for Your Wits: Exercise
and Keep Fit
#4 Interact with Others: Stay Social
#5 Rest for Restoration: Get Plenty of
Sleep
#6 Unwind for Your Mind:
Manage Your Stress
#7 Guard Your Gray Matter: Protect Your Head
#8 Think Overall Health: Control Other Conditions
#9 Give Your Brain a Break: Avoid Unhealthy Habits
#10 Understand Your Risk: Consider Your Genes
Additional Resources
the latest research in brain health

#1 Nourish Your Noggin: Eat a Brain Healthy Diet
Research shows that well-balanced diets that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish), protein, antioxidants (such as folic acid), fruits and vegetables, and vitamin B; that are low in trans fats; and which have an appropriate level of carbohydrates--will help keep our brains healthy. A diet that reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, as well as maintains a healthy weight, is also good for our brains.Learn more:
- Adopt a Brain Healthy Diet, Alzheimer's Association
- The Brain Power Diet, Medicine Net
- Diet and the Brain, Society for Neuroscience
- Dietary Guidelines, HealthierUS.gov
- Eat Smarter for a Healthier Brain, WebMD
- The Human Brain, The Franklin Institute Online
- Looking More Like Fish Is, Indeed, Brain Food, Tufts Health and Nutrition Letter
- Nutrition Information Center, American Federation for Aging Research
- Seven Nutrition Tips for Increasing Brain Power, About.com
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Eat Well, for Brain and Body, AARP
- What is Good Brain Food?, Psychology Today
- Brain Workouts May Tone Memory, Wired News
- Exercise Helps Sustain Mental Activity As We Age and May Prevent Dementia-like Illnesses, Medical News Today
- Mental Activity Helps Prevent Memory Loss, UCLA Healthcare
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Engage Your Brain, AARP Use Your Brain:
- Games and Puzzles, AARP
- Brain Food, Rinkworks
- BrainBashers
- BrainWaves
- Daily Crossword, NY Times
- Games for the Brain
- Web Sudoku
- Buff and Brainy, Science News
- Exercise Saves Brain Cells, WebMd
- The Human Brain, The Franklin Institute Online
- Pump It Up: Exercise Benefits Brains, WebMd
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Get Regular Exercise, AARP
- Train Your Brain with Exercise, WebMD
- Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise, Baylor Magazine
- Senior Citizens Need Interaction to Maintain Communication Ability, Senior Journal
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Stay Socially Connected, AARP
- Exercise for the Elderly, Family Doctor
- Silver Sneakers Program
- Volunteer Opportunities, Administration on Aging
- Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise, Baylor Magazine
- Senior Citizens Need Interaction to Maintain Communication Ability, Senior Journal
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Stay Socially Connected, AARP
- Volunteer Opportunities, Administration on Aging
- Insomnia: How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep, FamilyDoctor.org
- Sleepless in Loughborough: Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Function, Loughborough Sleep Research Centre
- Sleep Quiz: How Well do You Sleep, Discovery Health
- Sleep Helps Brain Work, BBC News
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Sleep Well, AARP
- Ten Tips for Better Sleep, DiscoveryHealth
- Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep, About.com
- Stress and Memory, Franklin Institute
- Brain Health: Stress Management Techniques, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
- Long Term Stress is Why Some Senior Citizens Have Poor Memories, Senior Journal
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Manage Stress, AARP
- Taking Control of Brain Health: Practice Positive Thinking, AARP
- Too Depressed to Remember, MedicineNet.com
- Assess Your Stress, WebMD
- Stress Management Resources, Mind Tools
- The Human Brain - Watch Your Head, The Franklin Institute Online
- Prevent Falls, Public Health Agency of Canada
- Preventing Brain Injury Among Seniors, Brain Injury Association of America
- Cardiovascular Disease Leads to Higher Risk of Dementia, Science Daily
- Protecting Your Heart May Also Benefit Your Brain, Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter
- Vascular Risk Factors & Alzheimer’s Disease, About
- Drinking and Dementia, Is there a Link? WebMD
- Maintain Your Brain, Alzheimer’s Association
- Smoking Speeds Dementia, About
- How the Brain Remembers and Learns, AARP
- Keep Your Brain Young, Guy McKhann & Marilyn Albert
- Maintain Your Brain, Alzheimer’s Association
- Mind Your Mind, Alzheimer’s Australia
- Mindful Exercise, AARP
- The Memory Bible: An Innovative Strategy for Keeping Your Brain Young, Gary Small
- The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger as Your Brain Grows Older, Elkhonon Goldberg
#2 Use it or Lose It: Stay Mentally Active
Those who use their minds may be less likely to lose cognitive function than those who don't. Learning a new skill or language,completing the crossword puzzle, taking educational courses, even learning to dance--all challenge and help maintain the brain. Choose intellectually stimulating and varied activities--the more demanding, the greater the benefit.Learn more:
#3 Work Out for Your Wits: Exercise and Keep Fit
Exercise increases circulation and blood flow to the brain, improves coordination skills, and helps stave off diseases and conditions that make you more prone to dementia such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Those who exercise have been found to be less likely to develop dementia later in life. Researchers have also found that those who start an exercise regiment later in life can actually improve the health of their brains--it's never too late!Learn more:
Get Involved:
#4 Interact with Others: Stay Social
Socializing with friends, volunteering, traveling, and even participating in favorite leisure activities helps to keep our minds active and healthy. Social engagements also reduce stress--which has been proven to destroy brain cells and detrimentally affect overall health. So get involved and stay connected!Learn More:
#5 Rest for Restoration: Get Plenty of Sleep
Scientists are still trying to unlock all of the mysteries of sleep, but they are starting to find that a lack of sleep can negatively impact brain health. Getting sleep is a necessary piece of your brain fitness routine--so if you aren't getting enough--find some time to catch some ZZZZZs.Learn More:
#6 Unwind for Your Mind: Manage Your Stress
We have long known that stress can wreak havoc on our bodies--we now know it can to the same to our minds. Many of our lives' daily stress can have a cumulative effect on our brains--impacting its ability to remember and to learn. Scientists think this may have to do with hormone overloads in the brain that can actually damage and kill brain cells. So whether you prefer yoga or time with your kids, find ways to eliminate stress from your life.Learn More:
#7 Guard Your Gray Matter: Protect Your Head
A number of studies have found an association between head injury and dementia. One study of World War II veterans found that those with a history of head trauma were two times more likely to have Alzheimer's disease, and that the more severe the head injury, the higher the risk. While scientists have a lot to learn about this potential causal link, it's still a good idea to wear protective head gear and seat belts, and guard your gray matter.Learn
More:
#8 Think Overall Health: Control Other Conditions
Researchers have found that those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, and other conditions; are more likely to develop dementia than their healthier counterparts. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet, and controlling stress can help to stave off diseases and protect your brain from their deleterious effects. Get regular check-ups and work with your doctor to control your risk factors.Learn More:
#9 Give Your Brain a Break: Avoid Unhealthy Habits
Smoking, heavy drinking, and the use of recreational drugs may cause increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. So, do yourself a favor and kick the nasty habit--your body and your brain will thank you.Learn More:
