Skip to content

Content starts here

CLOSE ×

Red Membership Card

AARP Membership — $15 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.

Be Social – a pillar of brain health

Studies show people who spend time with friends and family have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Discover new ways to strengthen your connections.

Two men and two women laughing together during a meal at a table in a home.

Best Of

The Power of Social Connections

Build lasting social bonds that will serve you well in the years ahead

A man and woman walking together with coffees in hand and the text "6 Pillars of Brain Health Be Social" behind them

Video: 6 Pillars of Brain Health - Be Social

The health impacts of loneliness can be extensive

View Video

Chef Giovanna Huyke and AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan smiling together in a kitchen

Giovanna Huyke Mixes Food, Friends and Brain Health

The Puerto Rican chef shares her tips for cooking light and staying connected

A hand looking to select one of several social media apps on their smartphone

Take a Break From Social Media to Relax

A digital detox may help you feel calmer and more focused

MEMBERS ONLY

Two women smiling and laughing as they paint outdoors

5 Smart Ways to Make and Keep New Friends

Research shows a strong social circle may help protect your brain

Start Healthy Habits With SMART Goals

Achieving your health goals is all about strategy

MEMBERS ONLY

Volunteering for a Healthier Brain

How giving back can improve your mental well-being and reduce stress

Rekindle Friendships By Connecting Today

Prioritizing your pals may boost your happiness — and health

MEMBERS ONLY

Brighten Someone’s Day With Kindness

Helping others may improve your mood and sense of connection

MEMBERS ONLY

The Power of Places for Remembering Names

Mental images can make the memory stick

MEMBERS ONLY

Remember Faces By Focusing on a Feature

Improve your ability to recall faces with this simple strategy

MEMBERS ONLY

How POINTER Participants Kept Up Healthy Changes

What helped them follow diet, exercise and other routines in a 2-year study?

Get Fit With a Friend: Stay Motivated

You’re more likely to commit to regular exercise when a friend joins you

MEMBERS ONLY

Switch Up Your Routine With Analog

Try analog alternatives to screen time to refresh your mind

MEMBERS ONLY

Handwritten Notes for Better Health

Nurture connections and boost your health with handwritten gratitude

MEMBERS ONLY

3 Easy Ways to Brighten Your Day With Laughter

Try these fun activities to add some humor to your day

MEMBERS ONLY

Scramble Words to Sharpen Your Mind

Play a quick word game based on news or magazine headlines

MEMBERS ONLY

Giovanna Huyke Mixes Food, Friends and Brain Health

The Puerto Rican chef shares her tips for cooking light and staying connected

Social Connections Enhance Brain Health

Explore the link between social relationships and cognitive well-being

Taking Charge of Brain Health at 83

Mary Hammer shares the routines that help her stay active, social and fulfilled

Challenge Your Brain With a Fun Improv Game

For a mental workout — and some guaranteed laughs

MEMBERS ONLY

People cooking healthy food

Building Brain-Healthy Eating Habits

Learn how the food you eat affects your brain. We make it easy for you to prep delicious, good-for-you meals that support your well-being.

Find Healthy Eating Habits

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.

Unused AARP Rewards points expire 12 months after they are earned, in monthly batches on a rolling basis.