How physical activity can boost your brain health and reduce dementia risk

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]This morning, we are kicking off a three-part series we're calling Brain Health: From Awareness to Action. In partnership with our sponsor, the Alzheimer's Association, we are showing you things you can do right now to build brain healthy habits, which may help lower the risk of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly nine and 10 adults say maintaining brain health as they age is very important.

[00:00:22]Yet, 91% say they don't know much about how to maintain it. So, what can you do?

[00:00:28]Gail sat down with the Alzheimer's Association president and CEO Joanne Pike to find out.

[00:00:34]>> Joanne, I'm so glad you're here.

[00:00:35]Welcome.

[00:00:36]>> Thank you. Good morning.

[00:00:37]>> Because I have to tell you, it's one of my biggest fears is, you know, because we all forget things, but how do you know when when it's a problem or how do you know it's just regular normal stuff?

[00:00:47]So, when you talk about brain health, what exactly does that mean?

[00:00:51]>> Gail, you're not alone in uh that fear about your cognition. Uh there is a growing body of research from the Alzheimer's Association that shows lifestyle can impact your brain health.

[00:01:03]These are things like nutrition, movement, sleep, and connection between people. These are everyday actions that we know have a protective impact that can reduce Yep. reduce your risk of cognitive decline.

[00:01:17]>> Okay. So, you're here because you've got tools that we can use, stuff that we can all do.

[00:01:22]>> Yeah, absolutely. You mentioned that um awareness to action gap that we absolutely need to think about and that's why the Alzheimer's Association is launching the Rethink Your Brain campaign, including a six-step challenge to really think about how you can take easy, actionable steps every day to maintain and grow your brain health.

[00:01:44]>> Do we have to do it every day?

[00:01:45]>> Well, these are things that you could incorporate every day, but the biggest >> if you want to have good brain health.

[00:01:50]Yes. Which we do. Yes. Yes. Yes. We're thinking about rethinking where you are.

[00:01:55]That includes knowing your habits today.

[00:01:59]>> Also, what can you do every day? Rethink your day.

[00:02:03]>> Rethink your movement.

[00:02:05]>> Rethink your nutrition.

[00:02:07]Rethink your brain challenge, your mental awareness and acuity. And then also rethink um how you apply that every day uh into how you monitor it and how you make it actionable for yourself including maintaining visits with your doctor.

[00:02:23]>> Yeah, >> those are important for your long-term health as well.

[00:02:26]>> Joanne, you just said rethink your movement. What exactly does that mean?

[00:02:30]Because we're all moving every day.

[00:02:32]Absolutely. Walking >> and physical activity is great for the brain. It uh creates better brain flow.

[00:02:37]It's good for sleep. It's good for stress. It's good for mood. So there are things that you can do to make that actionable. Uh think about not only walking but maybe gardening or dancing, doing something that you enjoy and increase that on a rout regular basis in order to build that momentum. You ultimately want to get to 30 to 45 minutes several times a week.

[00:03:01]>> Maybe today I'll take the stairs instead of the elevator. Maybe. Joanne Pike, thank you so much. We really appreciate it. Be sure to tune in tomorrow because we will continue this discussion. We're talking about your diet. Did you know your diet can impact your brain health, too? Yes, it can. And you can sign up for the Rethink YourBrain six-step challenge at rethinkyourbrain.org.

[00:03:22]Joanne says it's easy to