Best exercise: Walk with friends

“Exercise lowers blood pressure effectively, and it doesn’t have to be ‘hard,’” says Donna Arnett, Ph.D., dean of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. What’s more, a daily stroll also kick-starts brain cell growth, cutting the risk of memory problems by 28%, say University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers. Arnett recommends walking briskly for 30 minutes five days a week—if you’re able to talk but too winded to sing, that’s the right pace. “Regular activity makes your heart stronger,” notes Dr. Kroll. “A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort, lowering blood pressure.” Bonus: Walking with a friend has been shown to lower blood pressure by as much as 12 points and cut your risk of memory loss in half.