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Quiz: Which Daily Habits Help — or Hurt — Brain Health?

Test your knowledge of lifestyle factors that can make a difference

By

Stacy Lu

 
Updated February 06, 2026
Updated February 06, 2026
Three women exercising on a grassy area by the ocean with the guidance of a female fitness instructor
Morsa Images/Getty Images

This quiz was written with the help of  AI. It was reviewed by human editors and fact-checked before publishing.

Question 1 of 9

How many hours per day does the average U.S. adult spend sitting?

That’s a lot of down time! Sitting too much is linked to higher dementia risk because physical inactivity reduces blood flow and oxygen to the brain. But moving, even in short bursts — supports brain function. Learn how to sneak in those moving moments here.

Question 2 of 9

What is one benefit of quitting smoking, regardless of how long you’ve smoked?

Quitting smoking lowers dementia risk and improves overall health, even after years of smoking. Read about seven more habits that may be taking a toll on your brain health.

Question 3 of 9

How might closing the kitchen after 8 p.m. help your brain?

Human metabolism is programmed for daytime eating and nighttime sleep. Eating at night can throw off this balance, increasing the risk of weight gain, diabetes and heart disease — all of which are linked to poorer brain health. Read more about intermittent fasting and its potential brain benefits here.

Question 4 of 9

Which lifestyle factor is linked to better cognitive outcomes?

Spending time with people you enjoy stimulates brain networks, reduces stress and lowers dementia risk. Volunteering adds purpose and mental stimulation, too. The other options above actually take a toll on brain health. For volunteering ideas, go here.

Question 5 of 9

What do federal guidelines recommend for weekly physical activity?

Ongoing exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain! The guidelines break down to five 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity exercise (e.g., swimming, walking) every week, plus two or three sessions of resistance exercises, like lifting weights. Check out this article for exercise ideas.

Question 6 of 9

What’s the minimum amount of drinks per week that may increase dementia risk, according to recent research?

Even small amounts of alcohol can raise dementia risk. Keep in mind, too, that bodies become more sensitive to alcohol with age. Read more here about alcohol and brain health. 

Question 7 of 9

What percentage of time do Americans spend indoors, on average?

On average, Americans spend a whopping 90 percent of their time indoors, which means missing out on the potential brain benefits of a daily dose of nature. Find out what those are here.

Question 8 of 9

Which habit is linked to cognitive decline?

Ruminating on negative thoughts is associated with worse brain function. Try this meditation to move away from dwelling on the bad stuff.

Question 9 of 9

How can you regularly exercise your brain as well as your body?

The brain is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Learning new things throughout life helps keep your brain healthy as you age. Start here by learning why.

You have unanswered questions. Please go back and complete those questions to finish the quiz.

To learn more about building healthy habits, visit Building Healthy Habits challenge.

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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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