Health Conditions

Brain health

Small steps can support lifelong brain health

Your brain health is connected to many aspects of your overall health, including heart and metabolic health, sleep, physical activity, and connectedness. Lifestyle medicine can help you build healthy habits that support brain function, everyday well-being, and cognitive health as you age.

Proactive care

Brain health is closely connected to your overall health. Factors that may influence cognitive health include:

Many of these factors can be changed or managed. Lifestyle medicine brings them together as part of a whole-person approach to care, helping you build habits that support your brain and overall health over time.

Meaningful progress

When healthy lifestyle changes become part of your care, progress can show up in how you feel, function, and care for your overall health. Small, consistent changes can support brain health now and over time. While there is no proven way to prevent dementia, healthy habits may help reduce some risk factors associated with cognitive decline.

Early changes

  • Better sleep
  • More energy
  • Improved stress management
  • Greater consistency with healthy routines

Functional improvements

  • Better focus and attention
  • Improved mood or emotional regulation
  • Better engagement in daily activities
  • Increased confidence in managing routines

Supportive outcomes for those with existing cognitive decline

  • Improved quality of life
  • Better caregiver support and structure
  • More consistent daily functioning

Clinical Changes

  • Better management of health conditions that may affect cognitive health
  • Ongoing evaluation of changes in memory, thinking, or daily function
  • Adjustments to your care plan based on your health and needs

Questions to ask your care team

What factors may be affecting my memory, focus, or thinking?

Should I be evaluated for changes in my memory or thinking?

Which lifestyle changes could best support my brain and overall health?

How might my blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep, or other health conditions affect my brain health?

What should we monitor over time to understand whether my cognitive health is changing?

First Steps to Health Restoration

A practical starting guide for using evidence-based lifestyle habits to address root causes and move toward better health.

Best for: People ready to take an active role in preventing, treating, or potentially improving a chronic condition.

Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “What is the safest and most meaningful first step for improving my health?” to your next visit.

Important: Lifestyle changes can affect symptoms, blood pressure, blood sugar, and medication needs. Work with your healthcare team as your health changes.

Download: First Steps to Health Restoration (PDF)

Healthy Habits for a Healthy Brain

An overview of everyday lifestyle habits that can support brain health across the lifespan.

Best for: People who want practical ways to support memory, thinking, and long-term brain health.

Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which lifestyle changes could best support my brain health and personal risk factors?” to your next visit.

Important: Lifestyle habits can support brain health but cannot guarantee prevention of cognitive decline. New or worsening memory concerns should be evaluated.

Download: Healthy Habits for a Healthy Brain (PDF)

SMARTS: Steps to a Healthier Brain for Women

A practical guide to lifestyle habits and health considerations that can support women’s brain health.

Best for: Women who want a structured approach to supporting memory, cognition, and long-term brain health.

Use with your clinician: Bring questions like, “Which of these brain-health steps should I prioritize based on my age, symptoms, and health history?” to your next visit.

Important: Sudden confusion or abrupt changes in speech, movement, behavior, or cognition require immediate medical attention.

Download: SMARTS: Steps to a Healthier Brain for Women (PDF)