👉 “What’s one thing that made you smile this week? 😊 Big or small, we’d love to hear it!” 💙

👉 “What’s your favorite time of day to go for a walk? 🌤️ Morning, afternoon, or evening?”

Getting older does not mean you have to stop learning, exploring, or staying mentally active. Your brain changes throughout life, but there are practical things you can do to support your cognitive health and overall well-being as you age. Cognitive health refers to how well you think, learn, and remember. It is an important part of overall brain health and can affect everyday activities such as managing medications, paying bills, cooking, driving, and making decisions. While some factors related to brain health cannot be changed, many lifestyle and health factors can be managed. ❤️ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 Your brain and body are closely connected. Taking care of your physical health can also support your cognitive health. Regular health screenings, managing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, getting enough sleep, and taking medications as directed are all important. It is also worth talking with your health care provider about your medications. Some medicines can cause side effects that affect memory, sleep, or thinking, particularly when several medications are taken together. Never stop a prescribed medication on your own, but do discuss any concerns with your doctor or pharmacist. 🥗 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐞𝐥 A balanced diet can support both your overall health and your brain. NIA recommends choosing foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products while limiting excess sugar, salt, and solid fats. You may have heard about special diets designed specifically for brain health. Research into approaches such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets is ongoing. Some studies have found promising associations, but the evidence is not conclusive. There is currently no vitamin or supplement specifically recommended for preventing Alzheimer's disease or cognitive decline. 🚶 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 Physical activity isn't just good for your muscles and heart. It can also support your brain. Regular activity can improve strength, balance, energy, and mood while helping reduce the risk of several chronic health conditions.