The best science-backed strategies for a strong mind as you age

Sixty-two-year-old Rocket50 founder Marie Jerusalem has never felt more able to adapt to the changing demands of the corporate world. “My body’s not as agile as it used to be, but mentally I’m stronger today than I’ve probably ever been in my entire career,” she tells Fortune.?

Americans are increasingly working past retirement age either because they want to stay engaged or because it’s impossible not to. Regardless, they all have one thing in common: They want to stay mentally sharp.?

Experts say these daily habits can help with that.

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1) The basics

“Sleep disturbances have been associated with cognitive impairment and decreased physical function,” says Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, director of the CUIMC Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research.?

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Research also spotlights the role of exercise in protecting vital brain function. Movement helps counter age-related shrinkage of the brain’s hippocampus, which is responsible for memory.?

Exercise also helps reduce sleep problems like insomnia.

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2) A friendly neighbor

Having coffee with a colleague, volunteering in your community, or hosting a family dinner will help keep the brain stimulated.?

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“Social activity protects against a variety of negative health outcomes in older age, including cognitive decline, dementia, and even early mortality,” says Patricia Boyle, PhD, a neuropsychologist with the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago.?

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Socializing, especially across generations, expands people’s perspectives, which invigorates the mind as one considers new ways of thinking, explains Dr. Tara Swart, a leading neuroscientist and author of The Source: Open Your Mind. Change Your Life.

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3) Lifelong learning

The brain keeps developing well into old age. But the brain plateaus when people don’t engage in attention-intensive activities, Swart says.

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“Learning a new language or a musical instrument forces your brain to change,” Swart notes, strengthening executive functioning, and the ability to regulate emotions and solve complex problems.?

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Even passively enjoying the arts can serve as a brain booster.?

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4) A fresh spin on aging

Maddy Dychtwald, author of Ageless Aging, says there are a host of positives that come with aging, such as wisdom and self-acceptance. “We have agency that we never thought we had before,” she says.?

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Positive thinking can also help ease mental health issues like depression. Habits like sleeping well, exercising, and thinking positively may help reduce stress and depression, which in turn can sharpen cognitive performance.?

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Read the full story by Alexa Mikhail here.?

?? Aging Well Tip of the Week

Many people fear the physical and cognitive declines associated with aging, for good reason. However, a new study suggests that a combination of daily lifestyle habits can improve brain function for those who already show signs of Alzheimer’s disease—the most common type of dementia impairing memory, thinking speed, and overall well-being.

These five lifestyle changes improved brain function for those with early Alzheimer’s.

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