We’re all familiar with the concept of a “rainy day” fund- the just-in-case stash of cash you put aside so you’ve got a reserve of money to help you in case of a crisis. Well, it turns out your brain benefits from its own rainy day fund- it’s called “cognitive reserve” and building it up now may help you weather a crisis in cognition down the road as your brain ages.

Researchers have discovered that certain people, despite evidence of Alzheimer’s plaques in their brains, seem able to maintain cognitive function. While some of that may be attributable to luck or genetics, it seems that other factors, such as stress reduction, social engagement, healthy eating and, most importantly, regular exercise, can help build up brain capacity and resilience to allow normal functioning despite aging brain damage. So rather than despair, learn how to reserve and preserve your brain functioning by clicking here.

And for those who may already have mild cognitive impairment (sometimes a precursor to dementia), there is new scientific evidence out of Duke University which demonstrates that after 6 months of regular aerobic exercise, and improving diet, subjects were able to enhance their functioning and even reverse the presence of cognitive impairment. The message is clear- even without a build-up of cognitive reserve, it’s not too late to improve your brain functioning by altering your lifestyle with more exercise and better eating. So get up off the couch and find out more here.