Study suggests that preventing dementia involves increased reading, prayer, and listening to music.
Researchers warn that downtime choices could significantly affect health outcomes.
A recent study suggests that older adults should be mindful of how they spend their leisure time for long-term brain health.
Nearly 400 individuals over the age of 60 had their 24-hour activity patterns evaluated by researchers from the University of South Australia.
The study by SWNS found that the type of activity individuals engage in impacts their brain health.
According to research published in The Journal of Gerontology Series A, some sedentary behaviors are more beneficial for cognitive function than others.
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, and playing a musical instrument, as well as social behaviors like chatting with others, can enhance memory and thinking skills, according to the study.
The research team highlighted the "valuable insights" that could help reduce instances of cognitive impairment. They pointed out that more passive activities, such as playing video games or watching TV, do not offer the same benefits as reading, praying, and other activities.
Approximately 65 million individuals worldwide are estimated to have dementia, with an additional 10 million new cases diagnosed annually.
According to Dr. Maddison Mellow, a researcher at the University of South Australia, not all sedentary behaviors have the same impact on memory and cognitive health.
"She stated that the context of an activity affects its relationship with cognitive function, with different activities offering varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement in this research."
Scientists already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should be prioritized if you're trying to improve your brain health, as reported by SWNS.
"Even small, 5-minute time swaps can help."
"Until now, we haven't directly examined whether replacing one sedentary activity with another can positively impact our brain health."
Our research suggests that a more nuanced approach is necessary when considering the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function, despite the "move more, sit less" message being applicable to cardiometabolic and brain health.
She advised prioritizing enjoyable and heart-pumping movement.
And "even small, 5-minute time swaps can help."
The RAND Corporation in California recently published a study identifying major predictors of cognitive impairment and dementia in individuals by age 80, which were found to occur around age 60, as previously reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.
A total of 181 potential risk factors were assessed by researchers, encompassing demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, and psycho-social factors.
For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health
According to RAND, the list of predictors included "low engagement in hobbies" and "never exercising."
According to a study co-authored by Peter Hudomiet, a RAND economist in California, maintaining good physical and mental health not only helps in staying fit but also enhances cognitive abilities and delays cognitive decline.
Melissa Rudy of Planet Chronicle Digital contributed reporting.
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