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What Is Brain Health? 7 Simple Habits That Support Cognitive Function in Seniors

Older adult woman doing a puzzle

Brain health is defined as functioning across cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral, sensory, and motor domains, according to the World Health Organization. Strong brain health enables us to perform essential cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and decision-making.

At SRG Senior Living, we want our residents to get the most out of this next chapter. From maintenance-free living to first-class amenities, we’re here to support residents to get what they want and need in one community. 

SRG prioritizes brain health by offering seminars, wellness programs, and nutritious meals. We’ll discuss seven accessible habits that support cognitive wellness, including proper sleep, hydration, social connection, and more.

7 Simple Habits for Brain Health

Brain health is maintainable and improvable at any age. We’ll detail seven easy ways you can improve your brain health at any age.

1. Quality Sleep

Prioritizing quality sleep is crucial to maintaining good brain health. It’s essential to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night to support memory consolidation and retention. It’s easier to get quality sleep when you have a consistent bedtime and you’re in a comfortable environment. 

Whether that means making your space cozy or establishing a bedtime routine, these can help you prioritize specific hours for sleep.

2. Proper Hydration

Dehydration impairs concentration and memory. Since the brain is primarily composed of water, it requires a large amount of water to function correctly. Dehydration can also cause fatigue, sleep issues, inability to focus, and lack of mental clarity or “brain fog.”

It’s recommended that adults consume 10 cups, or 80 oz, of water each day. If you’re having trouble remembering to drink water, set a reminder on your phone or create a visual checklist to help ensure you meet your water intake goals.

3. Physical Movement

Regular exercise increases the blood flow to the brain, improving its overall functionality. Some exercises include walking, swimming, chair exercises, and tai chi. Even light movement can have a positive impact on brain health.

4. Lifelong Learning

Continuing to learn new skills or engage in new activities can be an exciting experience. Challenging the brain with new skills is a great way to continue strengthening brain health. Continuous learning helps sharpen skills and helps the brain form new neural connections.

Some examples of cognitive exercises for seniors include learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, or taking a technology class.

5. Social Connection

Connecting with others is a great way to combat the adverse effects of isolation. Some cognitive activities for seniors include group discussions or book clubs, painting or drawing, memory games, and social interaction games, such as trivia.

6. Brain-Boosting Nutrition

Eating nutritious foods is an easy way to boost brain function. Some of the foods linked to better brain power include green, leafy vegetables, berries, fatty fish, tea or coffee, and nuts. In general, balanced meals support overall brain health.

7. Mental Stimulation through Games and Hobbies

Puzzles, card games, and word games are good cognitive activities for seniors. These memory games and pattern recognition exercises can contribute to healthy brain function.

Cognitive activities for seniors with dementia include reminiscence therapy, music therapy, art projects, and other sensory activities. Enjoying these activities is essential in sustaining healthy brain habits.

How SRG Communities Support Cognitive Wellness

At, we take a holistic approach to wellness with our program, Zest Wellness. 

Zest is SRG’s signature, science-based program that focuses on whole-person wellness, incorporating the mind, body, and soul. These three core principles of this transformative wellness program are offered in all our communities:

  • Nourishing the Mind: We offer creative and intellectual activities to inspire the mind. Residents participate in art classes, gather for book clubs, write memoirs, learn to play new instruments, and acquire new cooking techniques.
  • Moving the Body: This pillar emphasizes physical exercises and nutritious meals. Residents can attend low-impact Tai Chi classes, join the walking club, take a spin class, or participate in swim lessons at the community pool. Our plant-forward FreshZest® menu offers a plethora of delicious and healthy dishes, giving residents many fresh choices.
  • Feeding the Soul: Spiritual wellness, though often overlooked, provides a strong sense of purpose for older adults. Residents can channel their inner pop star during social happy hours share a laugh during Laughter Yoga classes, or grow plants in the community garden.

Above all, the Zest program fosters a sense of community among our residents. Older adults can bond through shared programming and activities, while enjoying a wide range of cognitive exercises for seniors. These mental activities are integrated into daily programming, providing a structured approach to wellness.

In some communities, SRG offers a specialized memory care program called Enliven, with cognitive activities for seniors with dementia. Each memory care community is designed to promote physical activity and foster regular social interaction. Our staff helps create an environment to support all seven habits of brain health for our residents.

Take the Next Step

Small, consistent actions are the easiest way to reinforce the above habits and will support overall brain health. Over time, these habits will become an integral part of your day-to-day living and help keep you on track to improve your brain health and functionality.

Learn more about Zest and SRG Senior Living’s approach to cognitive wellness. Contact us today to learn more about SRG Senior Living or to schedule a tour.