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 HOW TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG AND HEALTHY





Your brain’s real age isn’t written in stone—it can be shaped by how you live every day. That’s the takeaway from new University of Florida research, which found that habits like optimism, quality sleep, stress management, and strong social connections don’t just make you feel better—they can keep your brain years younger than your actual age. In some cases, researchers saw brains looking up to eight years younger in folks who adopted the proper habits, even among those struggling with chronic pain.

So, what’s your brain’s age? It might be older or younger than your birth certificate, say if you care about staying sharp as you age (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), your day-to-day choices matter—a lot.

The University of Florida team used advanced MRI scans to track 128 adults, most living with chronic pain. By pairing scans with machine learning, they were able to estimate each person’s “brain age” and spot the difference between that number and their actual age—a bigger gap meant a less healthy brain. Bad news first: chronic pain, social disadvantage, and unhealthy lifestyles all nudged brain age higher. But there’s good news, too: people who prioritized restorative sleep, maintained supportive relationships, kept a healthy body weight, steered clear of tobacco, and learned to manage stress showed brains that looked significantly younger than expected.

The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Jared Tanner, explains, “These are things that people have some level of control over. Stress management, sleep, and even optimism can be learned and practiced.”

And get this: the more healthy behaviors a person reported, the younger their brain looked, up to eight years younger, on average. That advantage grew over time. In other words, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just slow aging; it can actually turn back your brain’s clock.

Dr. Kimberly Sibille, senior author on the study, sums it up: “Health-promoting behaviors are not only linked to less pain and better functioning, they actually seem to boost brain health in measurable, meaningful ways.”

Here’s the practical takeaway: You can take action today to protect your brain for years to come. Start by checking in with your physician to assess your current health and get personalized recommendations. And if you want extra support, consider working with a health coach. A tailored plan—covering sleep quality, stress management, and social support—will set you up for success.

Bottom line: Lifestyle is medicine. Every sleep-filled night, every supportive conversation, and every wise decision pays off in a younger, healthier brain. Invest in yours—and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your doctor or a professional coach.

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