How do we build a brain that can stay resilient as we age?
In this summer highlight, Dr. Annie Fenn revisits her conversation with Dr. Tommy Wood, author of The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age.
Tommy explains the idea of cognitive headroom: building more brain reserve and resilience now so we have a greater buffer against aging, stress, and disease later. He also shares why even brief “exercise snacks” can benefit the brain, especially when they break up long periods of sitting.
Finally, Annie and Tommy explore why many everyday memory lapses may begin with attention. Constant task-switching, scrolling, and information overload can make it harder for the brain to encode what we are trying to remember.
You’ll learn how small, practical choices—moving more often, taking real breaks, focusing on one thing at a time, and continuing to challenge the brain—can support cognitive health at any age.
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Summer Highlights
03:38 Building cognitive headroom
09:39 Exercise snacks and sedentary time
15:51 Memory, attention, and overstimulation
22:15 Three takeaways to use now
Links Mentioned
Dr. Tommy Wood
https://www.drtommywood.com/
The Stimulated Mind
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751292/the-stimulated-mind-by-dr-tommy-wood/
Better Brain Fitness Substack
https://hdrmdocs.substack.com/
Full Brain Health Kitchen episode with Dr. Tommy Wood
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-build-a-brain-that-lasts-the-science/id1869700282?i=1000757728384
Brain Health Kitchen Substack
https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com/
Thank you to our founding sponsors, NeuroReserve and BetterBrain, for helping keep the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast open to everyone.
NeuroReserve creates science-backed brain health nutrition products, including Relevate, Brain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Revanta creatine. Visit neuroreserve.com and use code BHKPODCAST for 10% off.
BetterBrain provides brain health testing, expert coaching, and personalized action plans that are covered by insurance for most people. Learn more at betterbrain.com/annie.
