Our brain, says the psychiatrist, is like any other part of our body: ‘Use it or lose it’
For many, the word “hobby” means something light or mundane. However, taking up a new hobby as you age can provide an important defense follyexperts say.
About 5.8 million adults over age 65 in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers or other dementia-related disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in nine Americans over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And while the dementia rate may be decreasing thanks to lifestyle changes, many of us are living longer, which means the social burden of the problem is increasing.
David Merrill, a geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Brain Health Center in Santa Monica, California, suggests using the word “research” instead of “hobby,” as it elevates the concept of activity to something demanding, requiring focus or cooperation. Something we have to pursue.
Activities that require attention and work are the “wheelstone” for maintaining sharp cognition, compares Merrill. Our brain, he continues, is like any other part of our body. “‘Use it or lose it’ isn’t just a hypothesis, it’s a basic biological fact, as true for our brains as it is for our muscles or bones.”
While there is still no foolproof way to prevent dementia or treat it, the diary hand in 2020 identified 12 risk factors for the disease that can be modified. They include physiological risks (blood pressure, diabetes, hearing loss), lifestyle choices (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity), environmental depression (air pollution), social isolation, and poor education.
The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada is also clear on what we can do to minimize our risk of dementia: stay cognitively engaged, learn new things, meet new people, keep a journal, stay curious, and talk.
While muscle loss is visual — tight thighs become flabby — and our skeletal health can be measured using bone density scans, Merrill says, “We only recently realized that the same reality was evident in our brains.” Disuse atrophy applies to sedentary muscles in the same way as the cognitive decline seen in dementia.🇧🇷
Brain imaging illustrates this point: learning and effort help build not only a psychological gain, but also a physiological gain in preserving brain volumes and preventing the atrophy — or shrinkage — of memory centers, precisely as does brain imaging. Exercise keeps our visible muscles moving. a well-defined way, adds Merrill.
The Alzheimer’s Association says we need to challenge our brains by doing something we find difficult. Think of it as cognitive weightlifting, a task that requires flexibility and mental toughness. And that often means doing something we’re not used to: something new.
We do this naturally in our youth, but as we reach middle age, we tend to slow down and be less social, less active, less inclined to strain our minds.
In your book BReading the Age Code: How your beliefs about aging determine how long and well you live (Deciphering the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and How Well You Live), Becca Levy, professor of psychology and epidemiology at Yale University, argues that individuals and society accelerate aging by strengthening the stereotypes about “old men”. . “The first of these images: the false stereotype that older people have difficulty learning new information.”
He writes: “The fact is that there are many positive cognitive changes in old age and there are many techniques to support lifelong learning. Older people can benefit from the same memorization strategies that younger people use to improve their ability to recall. . In fact, our brains experience the growth of new neurons in response to lifelong challenges.”
The problem is really thinking about being old or accepting the age that society throws at you. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, so you’re less likely to try new things. Not only do you fail to exercise your brain, but you also develop a habit of giving up.
According to the Gallup Poll, the median retirement age in the United States is 61 in 2022. The Pew Research Center reports that just over half of Americans over the age of 55 will retire in the third quarter of 2021 – a statistic aggravated by pandemic and rising as a generation of boomers nears retirement age. The average life expectancy is 76.1 years.
But while aging is — hopefully — a given, dementia isn’t, says Monica Moreno, senior director of care and support for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Research indicates that mentally demanding activities can have both short- and long-term benefits for the brain, she says. And a hobby—something new that we introduce into our lives as the demands of the job ease—is a great way to challenge yourself and possibly spark a cascade of positive change.
“Imagine that when you retire you decide to take dance lessons,” says Monica Moreno. Ultimately, “not only are you benefiting from the cognitive challenge, learning new steps, but you’re also more socially engaged and more active. And because you’re more active, you may be thinking about your diet, so before you know it, you’ve done a set.” of major lifestyle changes.”
He directs me to the Alzheimer’s Association educational program, “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research.”
Sylvain Moreno, an associate professor in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia (no relation to Monica Moreno), agrees that it’s important to stay mentally agile—so important that you can bear more weight to protect yourself from dementia than your genetics or your current cognitive abilities.
How about learning something in retirement? “You’re never too old to improve cognitive function,” she says.
And when you think about retirement, think about staying engaged as you get older. “Having a plan is super important,” says Monica Moreno. Ask yourself, “How am I going to stay busy, engaged, active?”
Starting a new hobby is a great first step. “Based on a large scientific literature, our general feeling is that it’s never too early or too late to engage in mentally and physically challenging activities,” says Judy Pa, co-director of the Center for Cooperative Alzheimer’s Studies at the University of California. California, San Francisco, Diego.
“We think of these healthy activities as a savings account for the brain,” says Judy Pa. “Start building that cognitive reserve now so that money is in the bank for the future if our brains need it.”
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Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
