Simple tips for better brain health
Brain health basics
Research shows that you can take steps to keep your brain healthy, just as you can improve other parts of your physical health. And doing so could help reduce the risk of dementia too.
It might seem hard to know where to start, but giving back to your brain doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about small, positive changes that you enjoy and can build upon.
Looking for inspiration? Scroll through our 40 everyday tips for better brain health below. Each tip is linked to one of our three simple rules: Love your heart, Stay sharp and Keep connected, and you can learn more about each rule by clicking on the tips.
There’s something for everyone!
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Love your heart
Simple tips for better brain health
Want to give your brain some love? One of the most important things you can do is be kind to your heart.
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Dance a little every day (ballroom, disco or even dad)
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Start getting off a stop early
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Clean it like you mean it
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Push yourself, not the lift button – try the stairs
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Be kind to your brain, download the NHS Quit Smoking app
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Go less sweet with what you eat
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Get into a regime, join a team
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Swap deep fried for stir fried
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Swap your cocktail for a mocktail
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Forget sit and stay. Go walkies instead
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Make small swaps for big health wins
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Turn your daily stroll into a stride
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Walk round the park, all year round
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Bend over backwards for your brain
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Dig into gardening, it’s good for you
Stay sharp
Simple tips for better brain health
Regularly challenging your brain, as well as taking time for your mental wellbeing and sleeping well, can help protect it as you age.
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Puzzle yourself with the paper
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Use your noodle – learn to cook something new
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Learn an instrument (which one depends how much you like the neighbours)
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Play cards, learn chess, it’s your move
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Learn a new language
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Turn over a new leaf, get into books
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See it, sketch it
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Use your loaf, learn to bake
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Darn it yourself – learn to knit, stitch and sew
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Refresh your regular route
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Add DIY to your brain health toolbox
Keep connected
Simple tips for better brain health
Research suggests that social isolation is linked to an increased risk of dementia. So keeping connected to the people around us is another good way to give back to our brains.
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Call up friends you can’t call in on
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Got a hobby? Join the club
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Make your morning coffee a coffee morning…
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Make new plans with old friends
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Chinwag, chat, chew the fat
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Here’s a sound idea. Get your hearing checked
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Enjoy a virtual pub quiz, whatever your team name
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Invite the neighbour over for a natter
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Watch the match with your mates (it’s winning whatever the result)
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Hand up, step forward, help out – volunteering does us all good
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Keep in touch over virtual lunch
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Pen a letter, stick a stamp, pop to the postbox
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Don’t be shy, say hi
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Turn your birthday into a party
