Yes, You Can Have A Younger Brain As You Age: You Just Need These 4 Tips

Quick question: How old is your brain? According to brain researcher Marc Milstein, Ph.D., author of The Age-Proof Brain: New Strategies To Improve Memory, Protect Immunity, and Fight Off Dementia, your brain can actually appear older or younger than your actual age, and as you can probably guess, keeping your brain young and spry is key for longevity. "Making your brain younger is one of the most powerful things you can do to lower your risk for cognitive issues," he declares on this episode of the mindbodygreen podcast.

"People who walk about 30 minutes a day lower their risk of dementia by about 60%," shares Milstein. (Specifically, you'll want to walk at a pace of at least 112 steps per minute1.) "Studies keep coming out that say, 'This is the best exercise. That's the best exercise.' But if somebody is looking to just get started, just simply walking is really important for your brain health, and it doesn't cost a thing." 

However, if you want even more bang for your buck, Milstein recommends taking a morning walk with a friend. Why? "We need morning light," he explains. "That morning light regulates that system2 that helps with your mood, focus, attention, metabolism, and sleep." (All functions important for cognitive health throughout your lifespan!)

On a similar note, "We see that people who take stairs over escalators and elevators have younger-looking brains," says Milstein. So if you don't have time in your day for a stroll around the block, simply take the stairs whenever you can.

The vast number of brain-healthy food lists can make your head spin. (Although, we see that as a good thing; there are plenty of foods that can nurture your brain!) However, if you're looking for one cardinal rule, mind Milstein's No. 1 tip: Add more fruits and vegetables to your plate. "There's a really interesting study that found when people have a variety of colors [on their plate], those colors have chemicals that interact in a positive way in our guts, in our brains, and can be very helpful," he notes. Those chemicals (specifically flavonoids) were associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline3.

According to Milstein, it's good for your brain to take a break once in a while. "To work, and work, and work, and work, and not take a break… There's the mindset of, 'Don't take a vacation,' and 'Always be thinking about goals,'" he notes, which can actually harm your cognitive health in the long run. We've said it once before: Downtime is productive.