In today’s wellness age, we all want to look good, eat healthier, go to the gym, and take care of our mental health. There are LED devices to make your skin look younger, the newest juice cleanse that promises to make you healthier, and the latest workout that guarantees the perfect body. But are we really prioritising what is most important?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease were the leading causes of death in 2023 in the UK – despite this, only ⅓ of Brits think it is possible to reduce their risk of developing dementia. So although we say we care about our brain health, there seems to be a big gap between intention and action.

New research from M&S shows that while 59% of Brits say brain health is as important as physical fitness, only 26% take steps to improve it daily. Women (63%) and Baby Boomers (68%) are taking the charge here, as are individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s and Dementia (62%). Despite the importance placed on brain health, skincare still remains a higher priority, with 47% of Brits applying skincare daily, compared to just the 26% actively supporting their brain health.

To help combat the gap between intention and action, M&S have launched their ‘Brain Food’ range, in collaboration with the British Nutrition Foundation, to help Brits look after their brain health. This could not come at a better time, as only 30% of Brits could recall what 8×8 in their newest survey.

With stats such as an alarming 75% of Brits experiencing brain fog, enduring it an average of four times per week, we can use all of the support we can get! On particularly foggy days, the number can spike to nine times, with Gen Z reporting the worst effects at 12 instances daily

Brain health is a vital aspect of our daily functioning and lives, and the more we can focus on prevention, the better our cognition will be in the long run. Featuring 6 key brain health supporting nutrients that many of us lack in our diets, M&S encourages us to support our brain, beat that mid-afternoon slump, and go for a healthier alternative this 2025. Maybe one of our New Year’s resolutions this year could be to focus on combatting that annoying brain fog.

With brain fog and cognitive well-being impacting millions, the need to “work out” the brain is more urgent than ever. Yet, 31% of Brits acknowledge the importance of “working out” their brain in the same way they might exercise their body but fail to prioritise it, and 17% don’t think about it at all.

Whether that’s solving a puzzle, reading, or learning a new skill, keeping your brain active is as important as going for a run, trying the latest beauty hack, or hopping on the newest skincare craze.

“Taking care of our brain health is becoming more and more important – we all know this but I think we sometimes struggle to know how to prioritise it. With dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affecting 1 in 3 people, we have to find ways to look after ourselves. The earlier we can begin to implement positive habits, the better we will feel in the long run!” says Kimberley Wilson.