Relive Happy Memories to Maintain Strong Social Connections

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Staying Sharp

Updated April 07, 2023

Updated April 07, 2023

Quick Win

Keeping up with pals — even if it’s been a while — is good for your health, and technology makes it easy. Reach out today.

Try This Today

Spin your mental Rolodex. Think about a close friend or relative you’ve lost touch with — someone who is important to you and brings a smile to your face.
Send a missive. Take a minute to write a short text or email. Keep it light and positive. You could start the message with “Remember the time when…” and mention a happy memory, or just let the person know you’d love to connect.
Stay tuned. After you’ve sent your message, be ready to answer the reply.

Why

We all fall out of touch with people we care about, but it’s never too late to reconnect — and it’s worth it. Maintaining social connections can help you avoid loneliness and isolation, which have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and premature death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And if you’re concerned your outreach won’t be appreciated, don’t be! Senders of “surprise” texts and calls tend to underestimate how much people appreciate receiving them, according to a 2023 report in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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