Challenging your mind can help maintain brain health. Here are steps the Alzheimer’s Association recommends.

Maintaining brain health as you age is crucial, and one way to achieve this is by challenging your mind. Partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association, “CBS Mornings” is presenting a three-part series titled “Brain Health: From Awareness to Action” to explore brain-healthy habits that can help reduce the risk of dementia in later years.

According to Joanne Pike, CEO and president of the Alzheimer’s Association, simple actions like nutrition, physical activity, and mental exercises can significantly impact brain health. The organization’s new “6-Step Challenge” focuses on science-backed lifestyle changes to support long-term cognition, with a specific emphasis on challenging the mind.

Pike suggests that engaging in activities that introduce the mind to new experiences is key to sharpening cognitive abilities. While crossword puzzles and Sudoku have their benefits, Pike recommends strategy games like chess for a more effective brain workout. She also advises learning a new musical instrument, picking up a new language, or exploring unfamiliar topics through reading.

In addition to mental exercises, maintaining social connections is essential for brain health. Studies have shown that individuals who are socially isolated have a 70% higher risk of cognitive decline, making social engagement a crucial aspect of brain activation.

For those interested in taking the challenge to improve brain health, the Alzheimer’s Association’s “(re)think your brain” initiative and “6-Step Challenge” can be accessed online at rethinkyourbrain.org. Participants can sign up for the challenge and receive daily action steps and guidance via text or email.

In conclusion, taking proactive steps to challenge your mind and engage in new experiences can have a significant impact on long-term brain health. By incorporating mental exercises, social connections, and a willingness to learn and try new things, individuals can build a cognitive reserve that may help protect against cognitive decline as they age.