Most people know brain health matters. Far fewer know what to actually do about it.
That’s not an opinion. It’s a finding from the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Facts and Figures report: 99% of U.S. adults say brain health is as important as physical health, yet only 9% say they know how to maintain it. That’s a significant disconnect, and it’s one the Association is directly addressing.
On May 11, 2026, they launched (re)think your brain™, a science-based initiative built around a 6-Step Challenge that translates research into habits people can realistically build into their daily lives.
The six steps are:
- (re)think your habits — assess where you are and build a personalized brain health plan
- (re)think your day — start with one change and build from there
- (re)think your movement — regular physical activity, 30 to 45 minutes several times a week, supports blood flow and brain function
- (re)think your food — the MIND diet emphasizes leafy greens, berries, fish, and nuts
- (re)think your mind — learning something genuinely new builds cognitive reserve; strategy games beat crossword puzzles here
- (re)think what’s next — keep going, track your health, and bring someone along with you
As a medical social worker with over 30 years of experience at Angels of Mercy Home Care, Christy Singrey works regularly with patients navigating dementia and its progression. The initiative resonates because the knowledge gap it’s trying to close isn’t abstract—it shows up in real conversations, with real families, often much later than it should.
By the time many people start asking questions about brain health, they’re already in crisis mode. The value of something like this challenge is that it meets people earlier, before the hard decisions arrive. Prevention isn’t glamorous work. But it’s some of the most important kind.
If you or someone you love wants to get started, the full 6-Step Challenge is available at rethinkyourbrain.org.
