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Walking And Socializing Boost Brain Health. What Happens If You Do Them Together?

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Walking And Socializing Boost Brain Health. What Happens If You Do Them Together?

The brain is your body’s command center—so keeping it in working order is really a nonnegotiable. While doctors have repeatedly recommended factors like eating well and trying to do new activities to support brain health, research over the last few years has found two habits worth prioritizing in your daily life: walking and spending time with loved ones.

Every walk you take is a step toward a sharper mind in more ways than one. A growing body of research shows that regular walking can boost memory, sharpen focus, and even slow cognitive decline—including reducing risk of developing dementia. Separate research has shown that walking can boost creativity, too. People who were physically active—including with walking—at some point within the last 3.5 hours showed processing speeds equivalent to someone four years younger while playing brain games, a recent study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found.

The second game changer for your thinker: socialization. Your brain thrives on connection, and research backs this up. A separate body of research shows that regular social connection can shore up memory, problem-solving, and also reduce dementia risk. One study, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, found that people who interacted with family and friends on a weekly or monthly basis had a slower rate of memory decline than those who socialized less.

Meet the experts: Jonathan Howard, MD, is a neurologist at NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue. Scott Kaiser, MD, is the director of geriatric cognitive health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Amit Sachdev, MD, is medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University.

With that, it’s worth exploring whether doing both at once would be a double whammy for brain health. While this powerhouse combo hasn’t technically been studied formally just yet, doctors say there might be something to this health hack. Let’s investigate.

Why Walking With A Loved One Is A Smart Combo For Brain Health

There are a few mechanisms at play. One is the fact that walking is simply a great form of exercise. “Anything that improves overall cardiovascular health will help reduce dementia risk,” says Jonathan Howard, MD, a neurologist at NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue. Your brain needs healthy blood vessels to function properly, get nutrients, and remove toxins, and there’s an established link between heart disease and dementia.

Getting your steps in can help support overall health—and that will do your brain a solid too, says Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. “Overall health is important for brain health,” he notes.

triggers the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports nerve cell growth and survival in the brain and spinal cord. BDNF is involved in crucial tasks like memory and learning, says Scott Kaiser, MD, director of geriatric cognitive health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. “That helps to create a well-functioning brain network,” he says.

Walking also can help reduce your overall stress levels. Stress can negatively impact your brain on a cellular level when it goes unchecked, and ramping up your step count can help counteract this, says Dr. Kaiser.

Time with loved ones is an anti-stressor, too, and can support good heart health which, again, ultimately boosts brain health, Dr. Kaiser says. There may even be an indirect link here: “If you’re feeling well connected, you may be more likely to make better choices for your health—and brain health—around drinking, eating, and substance abuse,” Dr. Kaiser says.

Best Shoes For Walking

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Whether walking around the house or around the neighborhood, these “perfectly comfortable and lightweight shoes are a great value at an affordable price,” says Jacqueline Andriakos, WH executive health and fitness director. Plus, they come in countless colors.

Splurgeworthy Walking Shoe

TechLoom Zipline

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“These are like little clouds beneath the feet—and I’ve never seen a shoe style quite like them,” Andriakos says. “I lace up in my Ziplines mostly for walking and errands.”

Best Walking Shoe For Plantar Fasciitis

Novablast 3

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Soft, cushiony, and great for pain-free walking, this model has an elevated heel. “If you are a heel striker in general or deal with nagging heel pain, these would be a match,” says WH news and features editor Currie Engel.

Best Platform Walking Shoe

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A platform walking sneaker? Yes! This elevated pair performs thanks to the Dr. Scholl’s comfort built-in. “I can wear them all day with no foot aches,” says Andriakos, who deals with sesamoiditis (nagging inflammation of the sesamoid bones in the ball of the foot).

Most Breathable Walking Shoe

Athens

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“First day out of the box, this pair performed even with no socks, 90-degree weather, and on my feet all day exploring, on a weeklong vacation—I could not have been more comfortable,” says Laura McLaughlin, WH managing editor.

Best Shoe For Standing All Day

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“They feel sturdy, yet cushioned and supportive. The light and responsive soles make perfect sense as a standing and walking shoe,” Andriakos says. (It’s no wonder nurses and teachers rave about them!)

Best Waterproof Walking Shoe

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“My feet stayed totally dry on snow, grass, mud, and slush, and I never slipped on the smooshy surfaces after a New York City snowstorm,” says Nied. “As long as the snow isn’t above the ankles, these work as well as full-blown snow boots and are much easier to pack if you’re traveling.”

Best Recovery Walking Shoe

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Enter: a warm hug for your feet. These easy slip-ons mold to your entire foot, making them perfect for strolls after grueling workouts.

Best Walking Shoe For Wet Terrain

Geotrecca Low RP

Teva Geotrecca Low RP

“This neutral-looking shoe goes with everything,” says WH senior e-commerce editor Neha Tandon. “After unexpectedly getting caught in snow and doing a rainy hike, these kept me warm and dry and were slip-proof on the steep parts.”

Best Walking Shoe For Wide Feet

Walker Classic

Vionic Walker Classic

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“They are stiff and structured in a protective way, but still pack enough cushioning and a wider design for all-day comfort,” Andriakos says. “I swear I stand with better posture when I wear them.”

To be clear, there are no available studies that specifically found walking with a loved one can prevent dementia. (However, a 28-week group-walking program helped people with dementia maintain a steady quality of life over the testing period, and the intervention was well-liked by both participants and their caregivers.) There are studies to support the benefits of group exercise, particularly outdoor group exercise, especially when it comes to lowering stress levels.

“We know that exercising is good and that socializing in groups is beneficial,” Dr. Kaiser says. “Theoretically, the benefits for brain health could be greater when you do them together.”

How Often To Walk With Your Loved Ones For Optimal Brain Health

It’s hard to put a specific number on this, given that research hasn’t extended into this territory just yet. If you want to set a lofty goal, Dr. Howard suggests trying to walk for 30 minutes at a time on most days of the week.

Since it can be tricky to consistently block out that time with family and friends, Dr. Kaiser just recommends doing what you can. “Most evidence suggests that inactivity is bad and any amount of activity is a good amount,” he says. “But, in general, more is better.”

exercise snacks,” like walking out of the office at the end of the night with your work buddy or taking a lap around the neighborhood with your mom during a visit instead of catching up on the couch. You can also try taking up your own walking habit and socializing by chatting on the phone with loved ones.

By the way, you can take up this new habit any time. “I can’t think of any age group that won’t benefit from this,” Dr. Kaiser says.

There’s a lot that goes into supporting good brain health, but walking with a loved one checks off a lot of boxes and gets in some quality social time, too. “It makes sense to kill two birds with one stone,” Dr. Howard says.

Headshot of Korin Miller

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

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Cincinnati Enquirer names 2025 girls volleyball all-city teams

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December 11, 2025

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Updated Dec. 10, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET

The 2025 high school girls volleyball season brought two state championships to Cincinnati and a state runner-up to Northern Kentucky.

But more than that, the action on the court each night showcased some of the best talent each state had to offer.

Here are The Enquirer’s 2025 all-city teams for each division in Ohio, plus Northern Kentucky and Indiana.



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Pitt volleyball to host 2026 Opening Spike Classic

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December 11, 2025

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Pitt volleyball will begin the 2026 campaign with two major tests, as the Panthers were announced as hosts for the Opening Spike Classic, featuring matchups against Kansas and Wisconsin.

The two-day event at Petersen Events Center will be televised nationally on ESPN and see Pitt play the Jayhawks Aug. 28 and Badgers on Aug. 30. Stanford and Wisconsin also play on the event’s first day, followed by the Jayhawks vs. the Cardinal on Day 2.

The Opening Spike Classic debuted last season with the Badgers playing host to matches featuring Kansas, Creighton and Texas.

“We’re excited to kick off opening weekend by hosting three of the best teams in the country,” Pitt coach Dan Fisher said in statement. “Fans can look forward to high-level volleyball right here in Pittsburgh. If we want to be the best, we have to play the best, and we’re doing that right away.”

The No. 1-seeded Panthers (28-4, 18-2 ACC) host No. 4 Minnesota at 7 p.m. Thursday in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.

A win over the Gophers would propel the Panthers, who have advanced to the Final Four for the last four consecutive seasons, to the Elite 8, where they’d face the winner of the regional semifinal match between No. 2 SMU and No. 3 Purdue.

Next year’s Opening Spike Classic participants — Stanford, Kansas and Wisconsin — are all also currently competing for a national title.

No. 4 Kansas faces No. 1 Nebraska on Friday night, while No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 Wisconsin square off in the afternoon.

The Opening Spike Classic is organized by PlayFly Sports in collaboration with JMI Sports, exclusive multimedia rights holder for Pitt Athletics.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this event back for a second year and to build on the momentum we created with the event launch last year,” said Michael Neuman, co-head of Playfly Sports Consulting. “The Opening Spike Classic is a celebration of women’s achievements in sports, and there is no better way to recognize that than by bringing together these top college volleyball teams to compete.”

Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.





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Nebraska Huskers Dominate All-Region Volleyball Honors

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December 11, 2025

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Nebraska is once again taking the collegiate volleyball world by storm, entering the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. So it’s no surprise the Huskers dominated some of the sport’s top honors announced on Tuesday.

AVCA West All-Region Team

Bergen Reilly

Bergen Reilly sets the ball to a slide attack.

Bergen Reilly sets the ball to a slide attack. | Amarillo Mullen

Junior setter Bergen Reilly showcased Nebraska’s excellence on multiple levels. She was one of five Huskers named to the AVCA West All-Region Team, which is an impressive accomplishment on its own. This marks her third straight year earning All-Region recognition, and she has continued her high-level play this season. Thanks in part to Reilly’s elite setting, Nebraska is on track to break the single-season school record with a .353 team hitting percentage. That mark leads the nation and is the best posted by any Big Ten team since Penn State in 2009.

Reilly’s standout season did not end there. She was also named the AVCA West Region Player of the Year, becoming the fourth Husker and the third in a row to earn the honor, joining Kelly Hunter (2017), Merritt Beason (2023) and Lexi Rodriguez (2024). She continues to collect accolades this season as the 2025 Big Ten Setter of the Year and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection. She also earned the 2025 Big Ten Volleyball Player of the Year, the first time she has received that award.

Rebekah Allick

Rebekah Allick (5) celebrates a Husker point in set two.

Rebekah Allick (5) celebrates a Husker point in set two. | Amarillo Mullen

Senior middle blocker Rebekah Allick is putting together one of the strongest seasons of her Husker career. She continues to be a reliable presence on both sides of the net, contributing efficient offense while anchoring Nebraska’s front-row defense. Her play earned her All-Big Ten First Team honors for the first time, a deserved recognition after years of consistent contributions.

Allick has also climbed into rare company in the program’s rally-scoring era. With 536 career blocks, she now ranks fifth all-time at Nebraska, a mark that also places her fifth among active Division I players. Her presence at the net has been a integral part of Nebraska’s identity this season, and she continues to rise to the moment when it matters most.

Laney Choboy

Laney Choboy receives a Michigan serve.

Laney Choboy receives a Michigan serve. | Amarillo Mullen

Junior libero Laney Choboy has been the steady heartbeat of Nebraska’s backcourt all season. She’s the one holding things down defensively, reading attacks and keeping rallies alive with the kind of confidence and toughness every championship team needs. Her efforts earned her a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Choboy has already totaled 276 digs on the year and counting, a testament to just how reliable she is in big moments. She’s delivered several standout performances, including a career-best 20 digs against Illinois and another strong night with 15 at Minnesota. When the Huskers need a spark on defense, she’s almost always the one providing it.

Andi Jackson

Andi Jackson (15) gets a kill on the slide.

Andi Jackson (15) gets a kill on the slide. | Amarillo Mullen

Junior middle blocker Andi Jackson has been one of Nebraska’s most consistent and explosive attackers this season. She continues to elevate her game year after year, earning All-Big Ten First Team honors for the second consecutive season.

Jackson has also established herself as one of the most efficient hitters in the country. Her hitting percentage not only leads the nation but also stands as the best single-season mark in Nebraska volleyball history. Combined with her reliable performance at the net defensively, Jackson has become a foundational piece of the Huskers’ success.

Harper Murray

Nebraska volleyball player Harper Murray (27) spikes the ball against Penn State.

Nebraska Cornhuskers outside hitter Harper Murray (27) attacks against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the third set. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Junior outside hitter Harper Murray has emerged as one of Nebraska’s top offensive threats this season, setting career highs with 3.51 kills per set and a .299 hitting percentage. Her strong play earned her All-Big Ten First Team honors for the first time.

Murray contributes in every phase of the game. She averages 2.14 digs per set, leads the team with 30 aces, and adds 58 blocks, giving her a team-leading 4.16 points per set. Her all-around skill and steady production make her a key piece of the Huskers’ success.

Honorable Mention

Virginia Adriano

Virginia Adriano (9) starts the match with a kill.

Virginia Adriano (9) starts the match with a kill. | Amarillo Mullen

Freshman opposite hitter Virginia Adriano is already giving a glimpse of Nebraska’s future, earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in her debut season. Originally from Turin, Italy, Adriano has quickly made an impact on both sides of the net, averaging 2.20 kills per set with a .284 hitting percentage, along with 0.66 blocks per set and 14 service aces.

She has risen to the occasion in conference matches as well, contributing 2.34 kills per set with a .318 hitting percentage. Beyond her on-court contributions, Adriano’s presence shows the growing opportunities for international athletes in college volleyball, opening doors for future players from around the world. Her all-around play and poise as a freshman indicate she will be a major contributor for the Huskers for years to come.

Taylor Landfair

Taylor Landfair collected seven kills of her own in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Taylor Landfair collected seven kills of her own in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. | Amarillo Mullen

Senior outside hitter Taylor Landfair has been a key player for Nebraska this season, hitting a career-best .316 and averaging 2.09 kills per set, which earned her All-Big Ten Second Team honors.

Landfair’s impact goes beyond this season. She was a 2022 AVCA All-American and has appeared in the most career matches of any active Division I player, with 151 contests. She also ranks 20th among active Division I players with 1,517 career kills, reflecting her consistency and durability throughout her Husker career.

Head Coach

Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced during a break.

Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly is introduced during a break in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pinnacle Bank Arena. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The players can only go as far as their head coach allows, and Nebraska head coach Kelly Busboom has given them every opportunity to flourish. Busboom was honored as the AVCA West Region Coach of the Year.

In her first year at the helm, Busboom led the Huskers to a perfect 30-0 regular-season record, including a 20-0 mark in Big Ten competition. Her debut earned her AVCA West Region Coach of the Year honors and the Big Ten Coach of the Year award, making her the first coach in program history to capture a conference title in their inaugural season.

Given the dedication and performance of these players, it was clear that Busboom was the coach most deserving of such recognition.

These awards and honors are well-earned, but they also tell a bigger story. The Huskers extended their win streak to 32 with a sweep of Kansas State on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, remaining undefeated. This team is full of talented players who understand what it takes to win.

Week after week, they perform at the highest level, delivering a masterclass in volleyball and making a definitive statement in the collegiate game. Many of these athletes are on their way to becoming Nebraska volleyball legends, leaving a lasting mark on the program.

More From Nebraska On SI

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.





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Pitt volleyball among four elite programs set for 2026 Opening Spike Classic

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December 11, 2025

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Three Golden Knights Named AVCA All-Americans

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December 11, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association today released its 2025 AVCA All-Americans. Included in the list are three Gannon players – Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian), Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area), and Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson). It comes after Gannon had four honorable mention All-Americans a year ago, although all graduated.

The Golden Knights are currently in Sioux Falls, SD preparing for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Head coach Matt Darling‘s squad won its second straight Atlantic Regional to advance to the Elite Eight. Gannon is the number seven seed and will face No. 2 seed Concordia-St. Paul, the Central Region champion, at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Makenna Nold of Concordia-St. Paul was named the AVCA Division II Player of the Year.

Arslan is now a two-time AVCA Honorable Mention All-American after previously earning the honor in 2022. The native of Ankara, Turkey was earlier named to the AVCA All-Atlantic Region team for the second time and is also a D2CCA All-Atlantic Region selection.

Gannon’s setter was chosen the PSAC West Athlete of the Year and is now a three-time All-PSAC West selection. She was a first team choice in 2022 and 2025 and was named to the second team in 2024. In addition, she was the 2022 PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

Arslan enters the Elite Eight with has 1,3759 assists, the second-highest season total. In fact, she now owns three of the top nine season assists totals, in the process boosting her career total to 4,481 assists. That is also good for second all-time. She leads the PSAC in assists per set (11.18), good for 10th in Division II.

She also stands second on the team in service aces (46) and third in digs with 298. She now has 1,140 career digs. She is tied for seventh in career service aces (175), along with seventh in sets played (457) and tied for eighth in matches played (128).  

Atwell and Wake are first-time AVCA All-Americans, with Atwell the force at the net and Wake emerging as Gannon’s top hitter. Both were previously named first team AVCA All-Atlantic Region performers and second team D2CCA All-Atlantic Region selections. They were both also named to the All-PSAC West first team.

A 6-foot-3 middle blocker, Atwell leads the Golden Knights with 105 blocks, with team highs of 28 solo blocks and 77 block assists, while tied for in kills with 260. She ranks ninth in the PSAC in blocks per set. The junior also leads the team in hitting percentage at .333, good for fourth in the PSAC. She has moved up to fourth in career blocks with 365.

 

Wake entered her junior season with 82 career kills but the 5-foot-11 middle blocker has exploded for a team-high 347 kills and is second in hitting percentage at .298. She is also third in total blocks with 66 and fifth in digs with 133.

All three players were named to the Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team last weekend. 


 



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Becker, Marusak and Stow Earn All-American Accolades

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December 11, 2025

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CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M’s Emma Becker, Currie Marusak and Taytum Stow earned the highest honor a Division II volleyball student-athlete can receive on Wednesday as the trip of Lady Buffs were tabbed All-Americans.
 
Stow was named a Second Team honoree by the American Volleyball Coaches Association with Becker and Marusak claiming Honorable Mention accolades. Stow was also named to the D2CCA Third Team All-American squad.
 
Becker earned her third straight AVCA All-American honors as the Liberty Hill, Texas product registered 348 kills with a .212 attack percentage to go along with 17 assists, 10 service aces, 266 digs and 65 total blocks for a total of 396.5 points to average 3.51 per set. Becker was a First Team All-Lone Star Conference selection.
 
Marusak becomes the 33rd All-American in WT Volleyball history as she led the way offensively for the Lady Buffs during her senior campaign in 2025. The Amarillo High School alum had a team-best 410 kills on 1,008 swings for an attack percentage of .254 to go along with 14 aces, 282 digs and 49.0 blocks for a team-leading 452.0 points to average 4.00 per set as she was named to the All-Lone Star Conference First Team as well as the LSC Championship All-Tournament Team.
 
Stow, the three-time Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year, became one of the top players in Division II Volleyball during her storied career. The Hereford, Texas product is now a four-time All-American as she set new school all-time marks in total blocks and solo blocks this season while leading the Lady Buffs to the program’s 32nd NCAA Tournament. Stow tallied 290 kills with an attack percentage of .396 to go along with 19 service aces, 72 digs and an incredible 155 total blocks to average 1.37 per set.



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