As I entered my 25th year of life, a few things hit me at once. First, I have exactly one year left on my mother’s amazing health insurance before I’m tossed into the real world to find my own coverage. Second, my mom—yes, the one with the astounding insurance—had just turned 55 the day before.
My mom is always on top of her check-ups, and she eats her fruits and veggies like clockwork, so it wasn’t her physical health I found myself worrying about… it was her cognitive health. It inspired me to attend a wellness event focused on cognitive health to learn some of the best ways to keep the mind sharp. Here’s what I learned!
Being Intentional With Cognitive Health
Over the years, I’ve learned that wellness isn’t just about what we’re feeding our bodies; it’s also about what we’re feeding our minds.
My maternal grandfather and great-aunt both suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s is associated with a buildup of proteins in the brain—amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles—that cause brain cells to die and the brain itself to shrink over time.
There’s no cure for Alzheimer (yet) and no guaranteed way to prevent it entirely, but there are things we can do as we approach our 50s and beyond.
A Little Gameplay, A Little Science, A Lot Of Fun
Research in Does Video Gaming Have Impacts on the Brain: Evidence from a Systematic Review by Denilson Brilliant T. shows that playing games and solving puzzles can genuinely improve cognitive function and overall brain health. (Yes! Those arcade games we grew up loving may actually be helping our brains stay sharp.)
To explore this idea even more, Centrum partnered with Dave & Buster’s and hosted a group of us at their Times Square location for the launch of Centrum Silver, along with Dave & Buster’s new Silver Hours campaign.
As we age, our brains need a little extra boost. Centrum’s Silver Multivitamin was designed specifically to support memory and cognition in older adults. The “age-adjusted” formula includes 24 micronutrients to support heart health, normal brain function, and even eye health.
At the same time, Dave & Buster’s introduced Silver Hour, an initiative inviting adults 50+ to enjoy 10% off food, non-alcoholic drinks, and games at select locations.
It’s a fun, low-pressure way for older adults to enjoy a night out, nourish their social life, and activate their brains with games like Fruit Ninja, Subway Surfers, and more. We learned that many of these games stimulate memory, focus, and reflexes without feeling like “brain exercise.”
Brain Health, Routines & Real-Life Wellness
While attending the event, we also met certified brain health professional Candy Calderon and comedian Amy Sedaris, who shared practical, approachable tips on creating daily routines that encourage cognitive wellness—everything from adding a multivitamin to weaving gameplay into everyday life.
Their message was clear: the brain thrives with consistency, stimulation, and the right nutrients.
And honestly? It made me rethink how I approach wellness. When I hear people my age talk about self-care or wellness, the conversation is usually about physical or emotional health. Rarely do we talk about cognitive health.
For many of us, thinking about our brains 25 years from now just feels…far away.
However, I’m not waiting until I’m 50 to start treating my brain with intention. I’m choosing to build those habits now. Whether I’m curled up reading in my cozy corner, hitting the arcade with friends, or playing Block Blast on my phone for longer than I’d ever admit— I’m doing things that make my brain feel alive, engaged, and supported.
Now I just need to work on getting my mom to join me on this gaming journey.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
