AARP Hearing Center
The Everyday Choices that Support Brain Health
Caroline Tetschner
Virginia Beach resident Jackie Wyles laughed as she recalled what first motivated her to start exercising: an upcoming wedding where her ex-in-laws would also be attending.
But what began as a desire to look her best soon delivered unexpected rewards. Along with losing a few pounds, Wyles found herself sleeping better, feeling more energetic and enjoying an improved sense of well-being. Those benefits convinced her that exercise is about much more than appearance—a message that resonated throughout AARP’s recent presentation on “The Six Pillars of Brain Health,” held before a full audience at Virginia Beach’s Oberndorf Library.
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AARP Community Ambassador Myra Walton Basnight explained that the six pillars are easy to remember through the acronym BE MORE: Be Social, Engage Your Brain, Manage Stress, Ongoing Exercise, Restorative Sleep and Eat Right. Together, these habits support brain health while promoting better sleep, stronger relationships and improved physical health.
While social engagement is often overlooked, Walton Basnight emphasized that meaningful connections are critical to both mental and physical well-being. Research shows that chronic loneliness can have a health impact comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is linked to an increased risk of dementia. The good news, she said, is that social interaction does not have to be complicated. Something as simple as gathering for a card game can make a difference.
Caroline Tetschner
For Virginia Beach resident Beverly Almond, staying involved through church activities and volunteer work helps her stay connected. “While I’m not a spring chicken myself,” she joked, “I love running the games and social activities at the Senior Resource Center in Pungo.”
Almond said the interactions benefit her just as much as the community members who come to socialize and participate.
When Walton Basnight asked the audience how many people exercised regularly, most hands went up.
“That’s outstanding,” she said with a smile. She reminded attendees that exercise does not have to mean running marathons or competing in triathlons. Walking the dog, swimming, playing pickleball or even mowing the lawn can all contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
She encouraged participants to aim for about 150 minutes of physical activity each week—roughly 30 minutes a day. Regular exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, helping support both cognitive function and overall brain health.
Although the BE MORE approach may seem like a lot to take on at first, Walton Basnight encouraged attendees to start small. “When I do my Zumba classes now, I go for an hour,” she said. “But I started with just 15 minutes and built up from there.”
The same principle applies to nutrition and other lifestyle changes. Simple adjustments, such as switching from whole milk to low-fat or skim milk, can add up over time. Walton Basnight encouraged anyone interested in improving brain health to begin incorporating small changes and build on them gradually for the best chance of long-term success.
While there is no guarantee that following the six pillars will prevent dementia, growing scientific evidence suggests that healthy lifestyle choices can influence the aging process and help reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Additional information on supporting brain health and practical tips for everyday life can be found through AARP Staying Sharp.
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