Brain health and winter

person doing puzzle

December is a meaningful month for brain health awareness, with Women’s Brain Health Day recognized on December 2. As we move into the colder months, seasonal changes, fatigue, and stress can take a toll on focus, memory, and mood, its good time to check in on our brain health

Understanding brain health and gender differences

Brain health is influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and age. In Canada, roughly 1 in 3 people will experience a neurological disorder in their lifetime. (Ontario Brain Institute).

Trigger Warning: This section includes statistics about neurological disorders, cognitive decline, and mental health.

Did you know…

• Almost 70% of those with Alzheimer’s disease are women, and women with early memory changes tend to decline about twice as fast as men.
• Stroke disproportionately affects women: more women die, experience worse outcomes, and face greater challenges in recovery. Men have higher stroke incidence at younger ages (Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canada).
• Women experience depression, stress, and anxiety about twice as often as men, but men are more likely to die by suicide (Statistics Canada, 2022).
• Parkinson’s disease is more prevalent in men,  while women have a higher mortality rate and faster progression of the disease
• Men are 2–3 times more likely to experience traumatic brain injuries (CDC, 2022)

Six pillars to support brain health

The Women’s Brain Health Initiative highlights six areas that support cognitive function, overall brain health, and reduce dementia risk, while benefiting your brain in general:

1. Exercise
   Physical activity improves blood flow, boosts neuroplasticity, reduces inflammation, and enhances sleep and mood. High activity is linked to a 38% lower risk of cognitive decline (Sofi et al., 2011) and a 45% lower risk of Alzheimer’s (Hamer & Chida, 2008). Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate–vigorous activity weekly, plus strength training twice per week.
2. Mental Stimulation
   Challenging the brain builds cognitive reserve, helping it functions despite age-related changes. Reading, puzzles, playing music, learning new skills, or speaking multiple languages all help.
3. Social Connection
   Quality social interactions improve cognition, reduce stress, and support healthier habits. Engagement with friends, family, colleagues, or community groups can benefits brain health.
4. Nutrition
   A diet rich in leafy greens, colourful vegetables, berries, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, and olive oil supports cognition. The MIND diet is linked to a 53% lower Alzheimer’s risk for high adherence and 35% for moderate adherence (Morris et al., 2015). Limit red meat, fried foods, sweets, butter, and high-fat cheese.
5. Sleep
   Sleep consolidates memory, clears waste proteins like beta-amyloid, and regulates mood and metabolism. Poor sleep increases Alzheimer’s risk by 1.55× and cognitive impairment risk by 1.65× (Bubu et al., 2017
6. Stress Management
   Chronic stress raises cortisol, inflammation, and depression risk—each a dementia risk factor. Mindfulness, exercise, social support, therapy, and routine self-care help protect long-term brain health.

While genetics and age influence brain health, lifestyle choices can protect cognitive function, support overall wellness, and reduce dementia risk. Starting these habits now, even in winter, supports immediate well-being and long-term resilience.

If you’re not sure where to start, remember that our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support and resources for mental health, stress management, and overall wellness.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Homewood Health

Access resources without registering

• Step One: Visit www.homeweb.ca and click ‘sign in”
• Step Two: Enter email: MohawkCollege@Efap.com, Password: MohawkEFAP#1

Register for a private account (optional)

• Step One: Visit www.homeweb.ca and click ‘Register’.
• Step Two: Type your company name and click ‘Find it!’ Select the correct company from the list provided. Enter information into the required fields, Invitation Code for Mohawk College:  MC7480  choose an email and password, and click ‘Next Step’.
• Step Three: Let us know your relationship to the organization (e.g. employee, spouse, dependent, etc.) and click ‘Next Step’
• Step Four: Enter the Necessary Information and click ‘Create a Homeweb Account’.

Phone: Employees, and their immediate family, may call Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1142, anytime 365 days of the year.

Please be assured that when you use the program, it is completely confidential.

Other resources:

• Ontario Brain Institute Building innovation in brain research & care | Ontario Brain Institute
• Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canada Fund life-saving research | Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Women's Brain Health Initiative