Be mentally active 

Learning new skills, hobbies and connecting with others may help to reduce your risk of developing dementia and improving your general mental wellbeing. This is important as depression can put you at a greater risk of developing conditions such as dementia.

Have a healthy diet

A balanced diet will help keep you at a healthy weight, which can reduce the likelihood of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase your risk of developing conditions like dementia. A balanced diet can also help to keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels within a healthy range, helping to prevent type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Both of these are risk factors around developing dementia.

If you're between 40 and 74 years old you can have a free NHS health check at your GP surgery.

Get enough vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for everyone, and most of it comes from sunlight on the skin. It can also be found in oily fish, eggs and fortified cereals (those containing added vitamins and minerals). Vitamin D is important in preventing diseases including osteoporosis.

Those with very low vitamin D levels are twice as likely to develop dementia. It's advisable that you take a vitamin D supplement through the winter months; ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.

Keep active

Keeping active is essential for brain health. Regular exercise in adults can improve some mental abilities, helping to prevent some types of dementia.

Try to do at least 30 minutes of activity that will raise your heart rate three to five days a week.

Stop smoking

Smoking is harmful to the blood vessels in the lungs, heart and brain, increasing the risk of developing dementia by as much as 50% compared to those who have never smoked.

Reduce alcohol consumption

Drinking above the safe levels of alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing dementia, so it's important for men and women not to drink more than the recommended 14 units per week.

Sleep

Sleeping well promotes good brain health. A lack of sleep can have a negative impact on the brain leading to increased risk of dementia. It's recommended that adults aged 18 to 64 should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night.