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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.

A man, Ron Gutman, speaking on stage at a TED event

TED Talks

The hidden power of smiling

Ron Gutman reviews a raft of studies about smiling with some surprising results. Prepare to flex your facial muscles as you learn about this behavior.

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Video: 6 Pillars of Brain Health - Be Social

The health impacts of loneliness can be extensive

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The Power of Kindness and Well-Being

Spreading kindness can bring joy and improve mental health

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Smile Your Way to Reduced Stress

Dish out more grins, even when it’s hard

Stay Connected With First Friday Gatherings

Plan a monthly get-together and stay connected with friends

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Absurdly Simple Tips for Your Brain Health

Don’t fall for pricey supplements or biohacking gimmicks

Play Your Way to Better Brain Health

Learn how play can keep your brain strong and healthy as you age

Connect With Loved Ones Remotely

Make video calls more meaningful with these simple tips

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Listening With Empathy Makes a Difference

Improve relationships by being a supportive listener for others

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Reconnect With Others With These Icebreakers

Try these tips to break the ice and start conversations with others

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Thank a U.S. Soldier With a Letter

Expressing your gratitude can help you both feel more positive

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Try Flower Arranging to Keep Your Brain Active

Creating a beautiful bouquet can do more than tickle your senses

Conversation Starters to Try With Family

Moving beyond small talk can strengthen connections

MEMBERS ONLY

The Power of Kindness and Well-Being

Spreading kindness can bring joy and improve mental health

MEMBERS ONLY

A selfie of a woman in front of the Berlin Victory Column

Invest in Experiences Not Things

Spending on experiences can bring more joy in the long run

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Ways to Strengthen Your Relationships

It’s one of the most important wellness skills we can cultivate

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Feeling Stressed? Phone a Friend

Calling people in your social circle may lift your mood

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Play a Word Chain Game to Test Your Brain

Playing these games with others may help reduce cognitive decline and loneliness

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Match People With Famous Doppelgängers

Test your memory by matching faces and features to famous people

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5 Smart Ways to Make and Keep New Friends

Try these tips to expand your social circle and nurture your brain health

Remember Faces By Focusing on a Feature

Improve your ability to recall faces with this simple strategy

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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.

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