July 22 is World Brain Day, a day that highlights the importance of overall brain health and encourages people to think differently about caring for their brain. While research on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias continues, one thing is becoming clear: healthy lifestyle choices can help support brain health over time.
The Alzheimer's Association has launched the (re)think your brain initiative to translate the latest brain health research into practical, everyday habits. For too long, Alzheimer's and other dementias have been viewed as conditions to address only after symptoms appear. New science-based research is changing that understanding, showing how lifestyle choices play an important role in supporting brain health over time.
Everyday habits, including how you move, what you eat, how you sleep, and how you engage your mind, may help protect memory and thinking and potentially reduce the risk of dementia. Despite growing interest in brain health, many people still don't know how to begin. The Alzheimer's Association 2026 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report shows that nearly 9 in 10 people say brain health is important, but only 1 in 10 say they know how to maintain it.
The (re)think your brain initiative aims to close that gap by making brain health science easier to understand and turn into meaningful action. Through its “6-Step Challenge,” the initiative encourages people to: (re)think your habits by checking current habits and building a personalized brain health action plan; (re)think your day by starting with one habit and building from there; (re)think your movement by getting regular physical activity; (re)think your diet by tracking what you eat and improving nutrition; (re)think your mind by challenging your brain to learn something new; and (re)think what's next by monitoring health and inviting a friend to take steps together.
"The Alzheimer's Association is committed to translating the latest science into practical guidance people can understand and use right away to proactively care for their brain health," said Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "Through (re)think your brain, we're helping people take meaningful steps today to help support brain health for years to come."
This World Brain Day, take the opportunity to (re)think what brain health can really mean for you. To begin building your own brain-healthy habits, visit www.rethinkyourbrain.org.
