Fostering friendships, whether old or new, may improve our mental and cognitive health. National Friendship Day was celebrated this month on August 4 and serves as a perfect reminder to celebrate the social connections that enrich our lives. 

Read on for brain-boosting activities you can do with your circle of friends.

1. Bring out the games: A little friendly competition never hurts! Hosting a game night is a great way to engage with friends and help improve cognitive functioning. Scrabble is a great brain boosting game that improves vocabulary or try Trivial Pursuit to test your memory. Need a snack to help power your mind? Treat your guests to foods that fire up your neurons like crudités with hummus or a delicious fruit salad. 
   
   
2. Take a hike: Some studies have shown that aerobic exercise, like hiking or a brisk walk, is the best form of physical activity to benefit cognitive health. Additionally, connecting with nature has been linked to improved mood and emotional well-being. Grab your pals, fill up your water bottle and hit the trail! 
   
   
3. Organize a book club: Reading doesn’t just sharpen your brain and memory; it also sparks your creativity and imagination. By organizing a book club with your friends, you get the best of both worlds—time to relax and get lost in a story, and then the joy of discussing it with others. Keep your book club interesting and engaging by having each member take turns picking the next book to read.
   
   
4. Try some new recipes on your friends: Instead of meeting out for dinner, why not host your own dinner party? There are countless tasty recipes that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Now is the perfect time to impress your friends with that salmon rice bowl recipe you’ve been eyeing. And remember, dessert doesn’t have to be off limits. Dark chocolate is a superfood packed with flavonoids that can reduce brain inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.
   
   
5. Get Crafty: Keeping your brain active with creative activities is a great way to connect with friends. Try attending an art class with your pals or setting up a craft table at home with your favorite supplies. Want to get nostalgic? You’re never too old to make friendship bracelets! 
   

Learn more about how you can keep your brain healthy with age here: mcknightbrain.org/brainworks/.