Recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger's ex-wife, Maria Shriver, shared her views on women's brain health and its importance. 

On July 13, Shriver shared a carousel on her Instagram, captioning it, “For too long, women's health has been compartmentalized into reproductive health, breast cancer, heart health, and bone health.” 

The post further continues, “Missing from the conversation has been a focus on the organ that regulates every part of a woman's body: the brain. That must end. Women's health is brain health, and brain health is the core of women's health.”

She wrote an op-ed with Hilary Evans-Newton, CEO of Alzheimer's Research UK, and Joanne Pike, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, to advocate for women's brain health. It was published in Alzheimer's Research UK.

According to Shriver's article, “Women make up nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Women are also far more likely to provide the unpaid care that keeps families and care systems from collapsing. Yet women’s brains remain largely under-studied, under-discussed, and underprioritized in research, risk reduction, and care.”

According to Alzheimer's Research UK, the WHO estimates that dementia costs almost US$1.3 trillion to the global economy, and this figure will rise to $2.8 trillion by 2030. In fact, in the UK, dementia is the leading cause of death, costing nearly £42 billion a year. The cost of caring for a dementia patient per year is £80,500. This cost can be significantly reduced if corrective action is taken. 

She not only advocates brain health for others, but she also truly swears by healthy habits for her brain. 

Maria Shriver’s healthy habits

According to TODAY, the founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement said, “I meditate every morning for brain health.” Her fitness routine includes:

• Strength training (3-4 days a week)
• Elliptical
• Walking  

Along with training, Shriver prioritizes sleep for her brain health and, to that end, limits her screen time. Apart from this, food also plays a vital role in her overall health. She said, “Food has always been a struggle for me ever since I was a young girl; I’ve had a sweet tooth,” she shares. “So I’m eating with that in mind.”

In 2021, she, along with her son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, founded a better-for-your-brain protein bar company called MOSH. 

So, her perfect combination of regular training, sleep, and healthy eating all contributes to her brain health. 

What healthy habit have you adopted for your brain health? Tell us in the comments section.

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil